Giga Africa 2026

Drinks Reception

Check In and Networking

Beyond the Battery: Africa’s Role in a Diversifying Energy Economy

• -Andrew Miller , CEO , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

Keynote Presentation: Africa & Battery Metals, from Miners to Integrated Players. Morocco’s Case

• -Khalid Hammouch , SVP Business Development , Managem

Keynote Presentation: Why Africa? Understanding Government Support & Incentives

• -Siham Aroua , Regional Director , Department of Energy Transition, Morocco

Panel Discussion: OEM & EV Market Perspectives

• -Adam Panayi , Chief Research Officer , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
• -Zagouri Sanaâ , Brand Director , DENZA Maroc
• -Anne Birkner , Head of Business Development African Markets , Volkswagen Group Africa
• -Leila Sabri Zemmahi , Head of Propulsion Systems Africa , Stellantis

Networking Break

Panel Discussion: Africa’s Critical Mineral Production: Poised for Rapid Growth

• -Caspar Rawles , Chief Operating Officer , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
• -Leon Godza , Chief Director , Ministry of Mines of Zimbabwe
• -Kossi Toulassi , Head of Industrialization Trade, Markets and Economic Analysis , African Union Development Agency-NEPAD
• -Jean-Marie Kanda , Member of the Board of Congolese National Battery Council and Presidential Advisor

Keynote Presentation: Morocco’s Battery Ecosystem and Opportunities

• -Andrew Miller , CEO , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
• -Ali Seddiki , CEO , AMDIE

Keynote Presentation: Eco Energy Solution for Sustainable Industrial Growth

• -Peter Yang , CEO , BTR Morocco

Networking Lunch

Keynote Presentation: Joining the Dots: Is the Time Right for an Integrated LFP Battery Supply Chain in Africa?

• -Mervyn Stevens , Vice President - Battery Mineral & Materials , Worley

Commodity Update: Lithium

• -Adam Webb , Head of Battery Raw Materials , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

Panel Discussion: Africa’s Growing Role in Global Lithium Supply Chains

• -Adam Webb , Head of Battery Raw Materials , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
• -David Dickson , CEO , Lake Resources
• -Alawi Swabury , CEO , Africa Battery Initiative (ABI)
• -Senior Representative , Tinci

Commodity Update: Graphite

• -Shruti Kashyap , Product Director - Graphite & Battery Chemicals , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

Panel Discussion: Graphite in the Global Anode Supply Chain

• -Shruti Kashyap , Product Director - Graphite & Battery Chemicals , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
• -Mike Ralston , Chief Executive Officer , Blencowe Resources
• -Matthieu Bos , President & CEO , Falcon Energy Materials

Networking Break

Commodity Update: Copper

• -Shruti Kashyap , Product Director - Graphite & Battery Chemicals , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

Keynote Presentation: Copper Market Outlook: Supply and Demand Dynamics

• -Henry Van , Head of Industrial Metal Analysis , Trafigura
• -Shruti Kashyap , Product Director - Graphite & Battery Chemicals , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

Fireside Chat: Visualising Africa’s Battery Storage Pipeline

• -Adam Panayi , Chief Research Officer , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
• -Deshan Naidoo , Founder and MD , Afrivolt

Panel Discussion: Innovations in Technology and Project Design

• -Caspar Rawles , Chief Operating Officer , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
• -Bill Williams , Global Director of Business Development , BAC
• -Intissar Benzakour , Scientific Director , Managem
• -Museta Daka Mbulwe , Acting Senior Energy Officer , Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy Zambia

Networking Reception

Check In and Networking

Benchmark Opening Keynote

• -Adam Panayi , Chief Research Officer , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

Keynote Presentation: Structuring Small-Scale Mining in the DRC as a Pathway Towards a More Responsible and Sustainable Energy Transition

• -Eric Kalala , CEO , Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC)

Fireside Chat: Strategic Materials Security: Building a Western-Aligned Midstream Corridor from the DRC

• -Caspar Rawles , Chief Operating Officer , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
• -Eddy Kioni , CEO , Buenassa

Benchmark’s Commodity Updates: Cobalt and Phosphate

• -Adam Webb , Head of Battery Raw Materials , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

Networking Break

Keynote Presentation: How the U.S. is Leading the Onshoring and Financing of Minerals and Midstream Projects

• -Widad Whitman , Head of Supply Chain Security for the Office of Critical Minerals, Materials, and Manufacturing , U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Panel Discussion: Investment Landscape and Financing Opportunities

• -Adam Panayi , Chief Research Officer , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
• -Franklin Edochie , Deputy Director & Head, Metals & Mining , Africa Finance Corporation
• -Ciani Smith , Director - Structured and Project Finance , U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
• -Anass Joundy , Associate Director , EBRD

Rare Earths: Strategic Minerals at the Heart of Energy Security

• -Shruti Kashyap , Product Director - Graphite & Battery Chemicals , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

Networking Lunch

Panel Discussion: Understanding the New Landscape for Energy Transition Geopolitics

• -Caspar Rawles , Chief Operating Officer , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
• -Karim Dahou , Deputy Director & Head of China Unit, Global Relations and Cooperation Directorate , OECD
• -Hannah Williams , Director of Trade and Investment - Africa , UK Department for Business and Trade
• -Christophe Yvetot , Representative to the European Union, the European Investment Bank, OACPS, Belgium and Luxembourg , The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• -Elisabetta Sartorel , Policy Officer , European Commission - DG INTPA

Panel Discussion: Regulation and Policy Frameworks for Critical Minerals

• -Adam Panayi , Chief Research Officer , Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
• -Alawi Swabury , CEO , Africa Battery Initiative (ABI)
• -Inga Petersen , Executive Director , Global Battery Alliance
• -Mkhululi Ncube , Program Management Officer , African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC)
• -Maxime Francois , Regional General Manager - Africa & Middle East Company , Alfred H Knight

End of Conference