COP 28 saw significant commitments to accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy, including increasing the deployment of wind and solar energy and the transition to Electric Vehicles.  These technologies all require a secure supply of critical minerals, demand for which is forecast to increase fourfold by 2050. With at least one fifth of the world’s reserves of critical minerals, African countries are looking for partners to translate their significant natural resource endowments into a significant participation in emerging global value chains in renewable energy.  While the long-term prospects are bright, there are significant short-term challenges in attracting investment on the right terms to develop the ores, processing and infrastructure needed to develop these resources.  African countries have recently made significant progress in addressing some of these challenges, including through the development of the Lobito Corridor, focused in part on creating the infrastructure needed to develop this sector.  This dialogue will feature Heads of State in discussion with senior officials from the U.S. Government and companies about how best to realize Africa’s potential to play a significant role in building the net zero economy.