European governments seek to restrict the access of minerals that fuel armed conflict to their markets, while ensuring continued economic engagement in high-risk regions to maintain access to critical minerals. Sourcing these minerals requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account issues such as interference by armed groups, governance shortcomings, environmental consequences, land disputes, socio-economic inequalities and the role of both state and non-state actors in perpetuating insecurity.
This event will examine the current dynamics surrounding high-value minerals, framed within the broader competition among global powers for the control of supply chains. The discussion will address the economic, security and ethical ramifications of resource extraction with a particular focus on the evolving landscape in the Great Lakes Region.
We are honoured to welcome two distinguished speakers: Filip Reyniers, Director of the International Peace Information Service (IPIS), and Prof. Dr Koen Vlassenroot, Director of the Conflict Research Group (CRG) at Ghent University. They will offer insights into the challenges and prospects of managing high-value minerals in Africa, highlighting the continent’s potential to exercise greater agency and ensure more equity over its mineral wealth.
Research lines: Sahel and Sub-Saharan Africa ; Europe
Source image: © MONUSCO/Sylvain Liechti
Registration by Thursday 4 September 2025
at the latest is compulsory.
Evening conference
The Race for High-Value Minerals in Africa
Mr Filip REYNIERS
Prof. Dr Koen VLASSENROOT
Moderator: Rodolphe van HÖVELL
Language: English
Simultaneous interpretation in English,
Dutch and French
11 September 2025, 17:00 – 18:30
> 16:30 – Registration
> 17:00 – Conference
> 18:30 – Reception
Campus Renaissance
Rue Hobbema/Hobbemastraat, 8
1000 Brussels