Strategic Alliances: how critical raw materials are reshaping European-African relations

How can the interests of European and African stakeholders from different sectors be aligned?

Geopolitical tensions, concentrated processing capacities, and supply chain risks are reshaping global access to raw materials, while African countries seek greater domestic value addition and industrial benefits from their resources.

These shifting dynamics are redefining European-African relations, with both sides pursuing differing but potentially complementary interests. The event will explore how these interests can be aligned and what conditions are necessary to build resilient, mutually beneficial partnerships in the raw materials sector. 

This virtual event is jointly organised by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Megatrends Afrika and the Federation of German Industries (BDI).

Moderator: 

Jonathan Kaupenjohann, Expert Sub-Saharan Africa, Federation of German Industries (BDI) 

Speakers:

• Jakkie Cilliers, Chairman of the Board and Head of African Futures & Innovation, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) 
• Anne Lauenroth, Senior Expert Raw Materials; Federation of German Industries (BDI) 
• Melanie Müller, Deputy Head of Research Division Africa and Middle East, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)  
• Phemelo Tamasiga, Senior Researcher, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) 

 

* This panel discussion is part of the project The Future of African-European Relations * 

The Future of African-European Relations project is a collaboration between the African Futures & Innovation Programme at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Megatrends Afrika consortium, comprising the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. 

---