AMSG Secretary-General H.E. Moses Micheal Engadu moderated the Second Africa Leadership Roundtable at the Future Minerals Forum 2026, convening 12 Ministers and senior officials from 15 African governments-including Nigeria, Uganda, DRC, The Gambia, Egypt, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Somalia, Mauritania, Kenya, South Sudan, Ghana, South Africa, and Burundi-together with global development finance partners such as the World Bank Group and IFC, and leading private-sector and industry leaders for a decisive dialogue on unlocking infrastructure funding for Copperbelt production.
The Roundtable was formally opened by the AMSG Chairman and Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, H.E. Dr. Oladele Henry Alake, whose remarks set a strong political and strategic foundation. He underscored Africa’s imperative to build coordinated, value-creating mineral infrastructure that can drive industrial transformation across the continent.
In his moderator’s introduction, H.E. Engadu recalled the outcomes of the 2025 Africa Leadership Roundtable, highlighting the evolution from the African Copperbelt Traceability Pilot to the development of a new international traceability standard under ISO, and from dialogue to practical implementation with AMSG Member States. He framed the 2026 session as a shift “from principles to execution.”
A scene-setting presentation was delivered by the World Bank Group, led by Mr. Robert Schlotterer, Global Head for Mining & Extractives, outlining the Bank’s New Strategy for supporting mineral-rich economies. He emphasized three interconnected pillars-strengthening policy, governance, and institutions; expanding infrastructure and regional integration to enable value addition; and mobilizing private-sector investment and innovation-and underscored how this framework aligns directly with Africa’s mineral development priorities and AMSG’s continental mandate.
Together, the Chairman’s opening remarks, the World Bank’s strategic framing, and the Secretary-General’s contextual introduction set the stage for a high-level facilitated discussion involving ministers, DFIs, investors, and industry leaders. The exchange focused on unlocking capital, harmonizing corridor governance, aligning national and regional policies, and ensuring that infrastructure development leads to domestic beneficiation and regional economic transformation.
Key Outcomes
1. AMSG and World Bank Group to Partner in developing Country Compacts for AMSG Member States.
A major outcome of the Roundtable was the agreement that AMSG and the World Bank Group will partner in developing Country Compacts for AMSG Member States. These Compacts will be government-led, jointly shaped with AMSG and supported technically by the World Bank, and aligned with the Bank’s new three-pillar strategy.
2. AMSG, FMF and World Bank to Convene a Follow-Up Private-Sector Workshop on Unlocking Private Capital for Infrastructure for Copperbelt Production
AMSG, the Future Minerals Forum, and the World Bank Group agreed to convene a dedicated follow-up Private-Sector Workshop focused on Unlocking Private Capital for Infrastructure for Copperbelt Production. This workshop-scheduled for 2026-will serve as the next operational step in translating the Roundtable’s outcomes into bankable commitments and investor-led action.
3. Bankable Offtake Agreements and Corridor Investment Priorities to Be Advanced by Governments, DFIs, and Industry
Unlocking large-scale infrastructure financing will require a coordinated, institution-led approach anchored in clearly defined responsibilities.
4. Cross-Border Governance Framework to Be Strengthened for Copperbelt Corridors
To ensure the bankability and long-term viability of the Lobito Corridor and other strategic mineral corridors across East, West, and Southern Africa, corridor governments, regional bodies, and corridor management authorities will be required to strengthen and align cross-border governance systems.
5. Infrastructure-Led Value Addition to Be Embedded into Corridor and National Development Plans
AMSG Member States, corridor authorities, and industry partners committed to ensuring that all new infrastructure investments across the Copperbelt are intentionally designed to drive value addition, not simply facilitate more efficient extraction.
A full Roundtable Insights & Recommendations report will be released by AMSG and FMF.
Closing Message from the AMSG Secretary-General
In his concluding remarks, H.E. Moses Micheal Engadu stated:
“Corridors move minerals. Institutions move outcomes. Today in Riyadh, we aligned both – from vision to execution.”
AMSG will now work with the World Bank Group, the Future Minerals Forum, and AMSG Member States to advance the agreements, compacts, and investment pathways identified during the Roundtable.
