Fastmarkets and the Africa Battery Initiative have formed a strategic partnership to advance the critical minerals, metals, and battery raw materials sector in East Africa. This collaboration aims to strengthen the region’s role in the global energy transition by promoting sustainable resource development and investment. By leveraging Fastmarkets’ expertise in market intelligence and the Africa Battery Initiative’s regional focus, the partnership seeks to drive growth, enhance supply chain transparency, and position East Africa as a key player in the evolving battery industry.
As part of their strategic partnership, Fastmarkets and the Africa Battery Initiative will co-host the inaugural East and Southern Africa Critical Minerals & Battery Raw Materials Conference in 2026. This event will serve as a key platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and investors to engage in discussions on sustainable mining, responsible sourcing, and market development. The conference aims to strengthen East and Southern Africa’s position in the global energy transition by fostering collaboration and investment in the region’s critical minerals and battery raw materials sector.
Driving East Africa’s position in the global battery supply chain
Amid a surge in global demand for battery materials, East Africa is a key hub for lithium, graphite, cobalt and other critical minerals. This collaboration between Fastmarkets and Africa Battery Initiative aims to:
- Elevate East Africa’s role in the global critical minerals and battery supply chain
- Attract investment and partnerships to support regional industrialization and market growth
- Address sustainability and traceability challenges, ensuring ethical and transparent supply chains
- Enhance regional and international cooperation to unlock the full potential of East Africa’s mineral resources
As a global leader in commodity pricing and market intelligence and the organiser of the world’s largest annual lithium and battery raw materials event, as well as must-attend regional events in Indonesia, South Korea, China and Europe, Fastmarkets will leverage its expertise to deliver a world-class conference in East Africa. This event will provide industry professionals with data-driven insights, strategic forecasting, and in-depth regulatory analysis.
Both organisations recognize the importance of sustainable mining practices, regulatory frameworks and responsible sourcing in building a resilient critical minerals industry. By bringing together key stakeholders from across the value chain, this partnership will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the battery raw materials market in East Africa.
The East Africa Critical Minerals & Battery Raw Materials Conference will provide a high-impact platform for industry collaboration, showcasing investment opportunities, technological advancements and policy developments that are shaping the future of battery supply chains.
Raju Daswani, CEO of Fastmarkets, remarked on the importance of the partnership announced at the Fastmarkets Battery Raw Materials Shanghai Conference: “As the global energy transition accelerates, securing a reliable and sustainable supply of battery raw materials has never been more crucial. This partnership with the African Battery Initiative aligns with Fastmarkets’ mission to provide trusted market intelligence and foster strategic industry discussions. As such, we are excited to host this inaugural event in the region in partnership with the African Battery Initiative in 2026.”
“East Africa has an immense opportunity to position itself as a major player in the battery materials supply chain. This collaboration with Fastmarkets will help drive investment, policy innovation and industry growth,” Dr. Alawi Swabury, chair of the Africa Battery Initiative, attached during the official signing of this partnership.
