8 – 10 June 2023
Saly, Senegal
The Publish What You Pay (PWYP) 2023 Africa Conference will take place at a time the continent is facing overwhelming challenges from the climate crisis. To prevent the worst impacts, the world needs to wean itself off fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to cleaner, safer energy.
The energy transition is an opportunity for the African continent. To ensure it is just, the views of vulnerable people who depend on extractives must be heard, and the impact on their lives taken into account. They need to be part of the solution, they need to be able to participate in decision making. And this is where PWYP, and the Africa Conference, can make a difference.
Gathering PWYP members from coalitions across 29 African countries, the Africa Conference will be the occasion to gather, reflect and debate on the role PWYP must play to accelerate responsible transition minerals extraction and a fair fossil fuels phase out. Held every three years, the Africa Conference is the principal space for PWYP members to strategise, exchange experiences, learn from one another, and advance our collective, people-centred agenda for the extractives sector on the continent.
This upcoming gathering will be the seventh Conference and the first major PWYP event to be held in-person since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020. Our ambition is to support a delegation of three members from each coalition, including women, youth representatives, and indigenous and community leaders.
Agenda
Day 1 - 8 June
| 9:00-9:30 |
Welcome and opening |
Moderator: Demba SEYDI, Senior Regional Coordinator, PWYP
Dr. Papa Fara Diallo, PWYP Senegal Chair
Fatima Mimbire, PWYP Mozambique and PWYP Africa Steering Committee Chair
Professor Awa Marie Coll Seck, Minister and Chair of EITI Senegal |
| 9:30-10.30 |
Keynote address |
Dr Marit Kitaw, Interim Director, African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) |
| 10:30-11:00 |
Tea/Coffee Break |
| 11:00-13:00 |
Delivering prosperity and sustainable development through a just transition in Africa
Africa has contributed the least to climate change, but remains the most vulnerable region in the world to its impacts. African people will also suffer greatly if the energy transition does not properly consider their needs and the unique position of African countries. This panel discussion will consider what the energy transition means for Africa and how we can work together to ensure it delivers prosperity and sustainable development for the continent. |
Moderator: Gloria Majiga-Kamoto, Program Officer, Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy
Dr Marit KITAW, Interim Director, African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC)
Bady Balde, Deputy Executive Director, EITI International Secretariat
Nafi Chinery, Africa Director, Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI)
Professor Adams Tidjani, Institut des Métiers de l’Environnement et de la Métrologie (IMEM) |
| 13:00-14:30 |
Lunch |
| 14:30-16:00 |
Building collective action for responsible transition minerals in Africa
Africa has abundant reserves of transition minerals like cobalt and lithium that are essential for renewable energy technology. However, mining in Africa is already plagued by corruption, opacity, environmental damages, and human rights abuses. This panel discussion will explore the implications of the fierce competition for these minerals, risks to communities, and ways to influence industry practices and government policy. This session will also introduce PWYP’s new Pan-African campaign for responsible transition minerals and begin building support. |
Moderator: Mukupa Nsenduluka, Policy Officer – Tax & Natural Resource Governance, Tax Justice Network Africa
Joëlle Ravelomanantsoa, Executive Secretary, PWYP Madagascar
Nsama Chikwanka, National Coordinator, PWYP Zambia
Maria Ramos, Associate Director, Extractive Industries Global Program
Robin Roels, Associate Policy Officer for Raw Materials, European Environmental Bureau/Coalition on Critical Raw Materials |
| 16:00-16:30 |
Networking and refreshment break |
| 16:30-17:00 |
Wrap-up and close |
Day 2 - 9 June
| 9:00-10:30 |
Feminist natural resource governance for a just transition
From gender-based violence, to unpaid care work, and rights to land and livelihoods – the oil, gas, and mining sector is a major perpetrator of women’s rights violations. Women and girls continue to experience devastating impacts, while enjoying minimal benefits. Centering the leadership and lived realities of women is critical to securing a transition which is truly just for the African continent. This panel discussion will explore how the energy transition agenda in Africa can pay particular attention to women’s rights, including how PWYP’s Global Gender Policy can be a tool in this effort. |
Moderator: Elie Kabore, Journalist
Mame Diarra Ndiaye, Regional Coordinator – Extractive Industries Governance, Oxfam West Africa
Lucie Kabre, President, Association of Women in the Mining Sector (AFEMIB)
Fatima Mimbire, PWYP Mozambique and PWYP Africa Steering Committee Chair |
| 10:30-11:00 |
Networking and refreshment break |
| 11:00-12:30 |
Exploring a globally equitable and fair fossil fuel phase-out and the implications for Africa
The world must transition away from fossil fuels and adopt cleaner energy sources to combat climate change and mitigate its worst effects. However, decoupling fossil fuels from economic growth at the local, national, and global levels will be a complex process that poses challenges to community cohesion, economic stability, and the effectiveness of climate action. This panel discussion will explore what is necessary for a globally fair phase-out of fossil fuels in Africa and how natural resource governance can support this goal. |
Moderator: ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director – West Africa, Ford Foundation
Dean Bhekumuzi Bhebhe, Campaigns Lead, Power Shift Africa
Awa Touré, Senegal Country Lead, Global Strategic Communications Network / European Climate Foundation
Aly Marie Sagne, Director & Founder, Lumière Synergie pour le Développement
Maybel Acquaye, Senior Policy Analyst, Africa Centre for Energy Policy |
| 12:30-14:00 |
Lunch |
| 14:30-17:00 |
Parallel session
Please note that members from the same coalition delegation are expected to attend different sessionsRoom 1. Identifying driving and constraining forces for a fair fossil fuel phase-out
with Policy Alert NigeriaRoom 2. Addressing Corruption in Transition Minerals in Africa
with Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI)
Room 3. Securing safe civic space for a just energy transition
with Spaces for Change
Room 4. Publish Your Plans: The disclosures needed to inform a well-managed energy transition
With PWYP US |
| 17:00-17:30 |
Wrap-up and close |
Day 3 - 10 June
| 9:00-11:00 |
Consultation on PWYP’s strategic direction from 2025
PWYP’s board and Global Council are planning the development of PWYP’s next global strategy, from 2025 onwards. This session will kick off the global strategy consultations with PWYP members in Africa. Here, members will share their views on the future direction of PWYP. |
| 11:00-11:30 |
Networking and refreshment break |
| 11:30-12:00 |
Africa Steering Committee Report
The Africa Steering Committee Chair will present a short report on the work of the committee |
| 12:00-12:30 |
Regional caucuses for Africa Steering Committee elections
Members will convene in regional caucuses to elect their next ASC member, following a call for nominations prior to the conference. |
| 12:30-13:00 |
Presentation of new Africa Steering Committee |
| 13:00-13:15 |
Closing remarks |
| 13:15-14:45 |
Lunch |
| 16:00-18:00 |
Networking and activities by the beach |
| 19:00-23:00 |
Reception dinner |
