Timely conversations, powerful reflections, a space where ideas meet action: GC Forum Extractives 2026

The importance of collaboration and evolution were highlighted at the GC Forum Extractives in Cape Town last month, as mining and energy leaders and innovators gathered for an exclusive annual event that they say delivered timely conversations shaped by lived expertise along with practical case studies that reinforced the role of strategic legal advisory in unlocking Africa’s critical mineral and energy potential.

Held at the UCT Graduate Business School Breakwater Campus near Cape Town harbour, and taking place alongside Mining Indaba, the high-level, full-day event brought together leading figures from in-house and private legal practice, along with mining and energy industry leaders, government officials, policy and regulatory professionals, investors and financiers in the mining and energy sector, and NGOs. 

Under the theme “Africa’s Critical Core | Minerals, Markets & Global Collaboration”, this year’s GC Forum Extractives examined how shifting geopolitics, new investment flows, and evolving legal frameworks are reshaping Africa’s extractives landscape.

“Access to reliable energy is central to every African country’s ambition to unlock real value across the mineral value chain, from exploration all the way to beneficiation,” shared Mohammed Stevens, Legal Counsel at Africa Legal Support Facility, and Chair of Journal of International Investment and Extractive Industry Law. 

Stevens was a panelist for a morning discussion on what he calls the deeply important topic of “Financing the Transition”, where speakers discussed balancing carbon-based fuels and renewables to shape the future of African investments. 

Chaired by Richard Morgan of Kroll, the panel also included Senior Legal Advisor Alida Rossouw of Vedanta Zinc, mining specialist Heidi Sternberg of Public Investment Corporation, and Themba Mnguni, Senior Legal Counsel at NOA Group. 

“The questions from the delegates reflected just how captivated the audience was, showing the power of open and engaging discussion,” says Mnguni, who praised the event for its intimacy and importance. “Practical case studies and lived expertise shaped the dialogue, making the GC Forum both insightful and highly relevant.”

Like prior years, attendees at this year’s GC Forum Extractives roundly praised the collaborative atmosphere and high-level, nuanced discussions throughout the day that went deeper into strategy and practical solutions, rather than just talking points. 

Africa Legal co-founder and COO Wendy Bampton says it has become a community-led event where sponsors, speakers, and attendees alike see great value and want to attend each year. “The GC Forum creates genuine friendships, along with collaborative working relationships, deals done, and drives for change.”

This year, a range of compelling panels, keynotes, fireside chats, and quickfire sessions covered topics including the Geopolitics of Critical Minerals; AI, Data Governance, and ESG; practical lessons from raising finance in Africa’s gold sector; Law, Leadership and Collaboration - Building Resilient Frameworks for Growth; how Africa can capture greater value from its minerals through processing, manufacturing and trade; and Africa’s place in the global energy transition. 

“The GC Forum Extractives has evolved into a firm fixture on the calendar for the mining and energy sector,” says Scott Cowan, CEO and co-founder of Africa Legal. “What began as a gathering for mining General Counsel has now grown to include energy in-house teams, CFOs, CEOs, policymakers, government representatives, funders, and investors, creating a powerful network across the industry.”

Collectively, attendees alongside Africa Legal, speakers, and sponsors are “creating a space where ideas meet action, and collaboration drives sustainable progress”, adds Cowan. Africa Legal’s co-founder says he is proud that the annual GC Forum Extractives is not just another conference, but a strategic dialogue platform for leaders who shape the future of Africa’s extractive and energy industries.

“Being part of these conversations matters to us, especially as collaboration, sustainability, and forward-thinking solutions take centre stage,” said sponsoring firm Tiefenthaler Legal. Ahead of this year’s event, Martin van der Schyf discussed why purposeful collaboration between in-house counsel and external lawyers is increasingly the difference between managing risk and being blindsided by it.

Longtime supporter Warren Beech, a leading mining lawyer and founder and CEO of sponsoring firm Beech Veltman, Inc, praised the GC Forum Extractives 2026 for its powerful, important and timely conversations on key themes such as “changing market dynamics, geopolitical impacts, the importance of collaboration, and reconsideration of long-held views which need to acknowledge global changes”, 

This year, Beech led a fireside chat in the afternoon with Jasmine Abrahams, Vice President: Sustainability at Ivanhoe Mines and Allison George, Senior Strategic Advisor at dss+. The trio of industry leaders explored how clear regulation and practical legal execution can enable Africa to move from mine to market and unlock greater value across the extractives value chain. George, who was recently elected to the Board of Afrimine, believes that with the right infrastructure, mining can transform into the backbone of diversified economic growth across Africa. 

Africa’s energy journey is unique, and the continent’s priorities, timelines, and development needs differ from the global narrative, adds Stevens, reflecting on discussions and lessons from “another great edition” of GC Forum Extractives. “I’m grateful for the meaningful dialogue and for the shared commitment to shaping a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable energy future for Africa.” 

The GC Forum Extractives will return on 10 February 2027 in Cape Town, among a suite of Africa Legal events that continues to grow. On 7 October 2026, the second GC Forum Governance Risk & Compliance will be held in Johannesburg, with pre-registrations and sponsor conversations now open. The Energy Leadership Forum, co-hosted with Olaniwuan Ajayi, will also return on 14 October 2026 in Cape Town. Further events will be announced in the coming months.