Mining the future: Clean tech competition and Africa’s place in global power play

As the global race for clean technologies accelerates—spanning energy, defense, and digital sectors—Africa’s critical mineral reserves have become central to a new era of geopolitical and geoeconomic competition, where climate goals, industrial policy, and strategic influence increasingly converge. Global powers are repositioning themselves across the continent, not only to secure supply chains but to shape the rules of the energy transition. This renewed global interest is reshaping Africa’s role in the global security and economic landscape—and raising questions about the space left for Europe in an increasingly crowded field.

From foreign investment to great-power rivalry, this panel takes place at the Warsaw Security Forum 2025 and will explore the risks and opportunities at the intersection of resource governance, strategic
autonomy, and the role that multilateral institutions can play in setting fairer rules for investment and climate alignment. How can Europe support resilient, equitable supply chains while respecting and advancing Africa’s development priorities?