FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cairo, Egypt, 4 September 2026. One month from today, the Third Congress of Africa’s Mineral Resources Development, CAMRED III, opens at the Hilton Cairo Grand Nile. From 5 to 7 October 2026, African ministers and regulators, mining and exploration companies, investors and development finance institutions, technology providers and local content enterprises meet in Cairo under the theme “Africa’s Wealth for Africa”.

The congress is organised by the Africa Business Council through its Minerals Resources Development Cluster, with MADI, in collaboration with the African Union Commission’s Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Mining, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, with support from the Open Society Foundations.

Why this congress matters now

According to figures published by the congress, Africa holds close to 30 per cent of the world’s mineral reserves. Minerals account for around 70 per cent of African exports and roughly 28 per cent of the continent’s gross domestic product before beneficiation. Most of that value still leaves the continent raw or barely processed. CAMRED puts the income Africa forgoes as a result at up to 30 billion US dollars a year in government revenue over the next two decades.

The timing is the point. Demand for copper, cobalt, lithium, graphite and rare earth elements is being reshaped by the global energy transition, and the supply agreements signed over the next few years will set trade patterns for a generation. CAMRED III is built around one question: whether Africa enters those agreements as a supplier of raw material, or as a producer of processed metals, components and finished goods.

The programme is anchored to the Africa Mining Vision, Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Continental Free Trade Area, and is designed to close with commitments rather than a communiqué.

What happens in Cairo

Twelve high-level sessions run across three days, with structured business to business and business to government matchmaking alongside the programme.

• Day one opens with the High-Level Ministerial Opening Dialogue, From Africa’s Mineral Wealth to African Prosperity, followed by sessions on Africa’s critical minerals moment, local content and African champions, and technology, innovation and the future African mine.
• Day two covers artisanal miners, women and youth in mineral value chains, green mineral value chains for Africa’s energy future, harmonising policy, legal and regulatory frameworks, and the role of chambers of mines and investment agencies in moving from promotion to production.
• Day three turns to delivery, with sessions on financing bankable projects, building an integrated African minerals market under the AfCFTA, and the just mineral and energy transition, before the congress closes with the Cairo Call for Value, Jobs and Prosperity.

Confirmed speakers

Speakers confirmed for CAMRED III include:

• H.E. Mrs. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Mining, African Union Commission
• H.E. Dr Amany Asfour, President, Africa Business Council
• Deprose Muchena, Director, Resources Futures, Africa Critical Minerals, Open Society Foundations
• Mrs Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe, President, South African Mining Development Association
• Dr M’Zée Fula Ngenge, President, African Diamond Council
• Eng. Hoda Mansour, Managing Director and Vice Chair, Sukari Gold Mines
• Hon. Mohamed Abou El Enein, Chairman, Cleopatra Group, and Chair of the Investment Cluster, Africa Business Council
• Mahmood Ahmadu, OON, MIoD, Group Chairman, MAG Group, and Chair of the ITC and Digital Economy Cluster, Africa Business Council
• Dr Agostinho Kapaia, Chairman of the Board, OPAIA Group
• Engr. Shuaibu Kabir Bello, Kaduna Chapter Chairman, 3M-NIMMME, and Special Adviser on Student Matters to the Governor of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Ministers and heads of delegation are still being confirmed. The full list is maintained at camred.org/speakers.

Registration and press accreditation

Delegate registration is open at register.camred.org. The early bird rate of 900 US dollars runs until 15 September 2026, after which the standard rate of 1,000 US dollars applies. The portal also handles accommodation at the congress rate, airport meet and assist, and exhibition space.

Accreditation is free for working journalists, photographers and camera crews, and no delegate registration is required. Details and the application form are at camred.org/media. Interview requests with speakers and delegations are arranged through the secretariat.

ENDS