Stakeholders in governance and extractive value chain believe that Africa’s critical minerals future depends more on good governance than the abundance of mineral resources. They said the continent’s vast deposits of critical minerals presented enormous opportunities amid the global transition to renewable energy, digital technologies, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. “Women, youth, artisanal miners, local communities and human rights defenders must be recognised as key partners in resource governance. The conference was conveyed by Open Society Foundations, an entity that works to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable to their people. The race for critical minerals is not just a market moment; it is a test of sovereignty, democracy, global cooperation, and our claims to equal humanity,” she noted.