The Critical Minerals Africa Group (CMAG) has been launched by global leaders in the critical minerals industry to unlock Africa's full potential in the critical minerals sector.

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to approximately 30 per cent of the world's proven critical minerals reserves, and the International Energy Agency predicts that demand for nickel will double, cobalt will triple, and lithium will rise tenfold.

If harnessed properly, the IMF estimates that increased commodity revenues alone could increase Sub-Saharan Africa's GDP by 12 per cent or more by 2050.

Despite Africa's central role in the global critical minerals industry, African policymakers, business leaders, and citizens struggle to influence vital discussions around policy and supply chains.

Global businesses keen to seize the opportunities presented by Africa's critical minerals also face high barriers to entry due to a lack of relationships on the continent and limited local knowledge.

CMAG's mission is to foster deeper relationships between Africa and global markets, enabling the creation of resilient and diversified critical minerals supply chains that benefit communities and accelerate economic development through the capture of value-adding activities.

CMAG will work with industry and governments to remove barriers to market entry across Sub-Saharan Africa, create more enabling business environments, promote sustainable growth and localisation of benefits, and support the creation of green value chains on the continent.

It will act as a bridge between the private and public sectors while enabling greater interconnectivity with Western markets.

The CMAG team, including global leaders in the critical minerals industry, will add value by offering members access to funding and networking opportunities, advocating for CMAG members in discussions with governments, regulators, and other stakeholders, and providing messaging and branding support to help members position themselves as global industry thought leaders.