Global trade sentiment is showing a positive trend towards Africa, with trade shows, conferences and multilateral forums increasingly highlighting the continent’s prospects, and investors clambering to form partnerships and seize opportunities in the region.
The fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), which concluded recently in Algiers, Algeria, saw trade and investment deals worth $48,3 billion signed – an enormous vote of confidence in the African continent as a partner for global and intra-continental trade.
This continues the trend of growing investor confidence in the region and its prospects was also reflected at this year’s Investing In African Mining Indaba 2025 in Cape Town, for instance, drew 10 500 attendees from 120+ countries, including more than 1 450 company executives, 1 300 investors, 58 ministers and 1 400 government officials.
Mining Indaba attracted more than 400 investors with funds between $5 million and $50 million, with several attendees controlling budgets reaching into stratospheric levels beyond $50 billion.
There are clear commonalities emerging in terms of the sectors attracting investor interest at African trade shows: technology, industrialisation, critical minerals and the Just Energy Transition (JET), with consistent awareness of the need to include communities, while protecting health and safety.
Underlining a vision for trade and mining as intertwined pillars of African growth is Kwasi Ampofo, Head of Metals and Mining at BloombergNEF, and Mining Indaba executive board member, who addressed a dedicated critical-minerals panel at the IATF Investment Forum.
“Investing about $1.6 trillion in critical minerals over 25 years could unlock $6–$10 trillion in global revenues, with Africa’s 30% share worth roughly $3 trillion if fully realised,” he said.
Elsewhere, the decision by the United States, under President Trump, to impose tariffs on African countries has served as a wake-up call for African governments. Regional integration is becoming a non-negotiable requirement for growth – especially given the opportunities of the AfCFTA. But this integration is also likely to establish Africa as a global trade powerhouse.
Speaking at the “Unstoppable Africa Summit,” a side-event during the 80th UN General Assembly, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala emphasised Africa’s growing significance, declaring, “Africa is the market of the future. One day, the US will need Africa more than we will need them.”
Investing in African Mining Indaba head of Public Affairs, Collen Dlamini says he is encouraged to see this acceptance of the need to find partners in Africa to explore mutual growth.
“At forums around the world, and in global trade, we increasingly see investors looking to seize upstream and downstream opportunities in industrialisation, critical minerals and renewable energy,” he says. “There are also incredible developments in AI, robotics, data and other technologies. It’s an exciting time for African trade – especially in the minerals space – and stakeholders are rushing to get on board.”
Perhaps the most exciting opportunity Africa faces is the rapidly unfolding critical minerals boom, which places the continent and a pivotal turning point. Grabbing hold of all the possibilities that critical minerals offer will require effective and visionary leadership. But more than anything else, trade, energy and minerals players must work together to turn potential into reality.
“We have abundant resources in the ground, skilled people, and patient capital,” says Dlamini. “Harnessing them for mutual success requires vision and strong leadership, but the ultimate catalyst is partnerships. No matter the sector or the organisation, we’re always stronger together.”
- Investing In African Mining Indaba 2026 runs from February 9 – 11, 2026 at CTICC 1 and 2 in Cape Town. The event will be a pivotal event for mining professionals, investors, and industry leaders looking to capitalise on the opportunities in Africa's mining sector.
