Agenda

Africa Critical Minerals Investor Forum, NYC 2026

Wednesday, September 23, 2026
4:00–8:00 p.m. ET
The St. Regis, New York City

A single, tightly curated late-afternoon program. The evening opens with a reception so delegations and investors meet before the formal session begins. Segment timing and order are subject to change to accommodate speakers’ schedules and protocol.

4:00 p.m. — Reception & arrival

Reception with snacks, coffee, tea, and water. Registration, security check-in, and informal introductions between delegations and investors.

4:20 p.m. — Welcome & Framing

Opening remarks from the Chairman of MSM Frontier Capital Acquisition Corporation and the forum moderator: why Africa’s critical minerals, why U.S. capital, and why now.

4:30 p.m. — African executives & political leaders

The opportunity on the ground (Speakers and Q&A)

  • H.E. William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto, CGH — President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces

  • H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud — President of the Federal Republic of Somalia

  • HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II, CON — 16th Emir of Kano; former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (2009–2014)

  • H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, PhD — Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

  • H.E. Chief Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo, GCFR — Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999–2007); former Military Head of State (1976–1979)

  • His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima Mustapha, GCON — Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

  • Dr. Mansur Muhtar — Chairman, Bank of Industry (Nigeria); former Vice President, Islamic Development Bank; former Minister of Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria

  • Dr. Issa Faye — Director General, Global Practices and Partnerships, IsDB

5:40 p.m. — Fireside Chat: Africa country risk and rule of law

An independent risk advisory assesses political stability, contract enforceability, and governance trends across the featured markets — the questions investors ask first.

Speaker: Amaka Anu -Director and Practice Head, Africa, Eurasia Group

5:00 p.m. — Panel Discussion:
Financing the pathway to U.S. markets

SPAC sponsors, underwriters, and legal advisors on how African resource companies access U.S. public markets: structures, diligence, governance expectations, how critical-minerals SPAC combinations have been used to raise capital and consolidate the sector, and what gets a deal done.

Moderator: Crocker Coulson, AUM Advisors

Speakers:

  • Joe Riggio - Founding Partner, Jett Capital

  • Mitch Nussbaum - Co-Chair, Loeb & Loeb LLP

  • Patrick A. Sturgeon - Managing Partner, Brookline Capital Markets

  • Gracelin Baskaran - Director, Critical Minerals Security Program

    *Additional speakers will be announced in the days ahead as the program is finalized

6:00 p.m. — Close

Closing remarks from MSM Chairman.

6:05 p.m. — Dinner for invited guests

  • The St. Regis, 703 5th Ave, Midtown, New York, NY 10022

    Photo ID matching your registration is required for entry; venue security clearance applies to all guests.

  • Protocol and arrival details for official delegations will be provided directly to each mission on confirmation.

  • Attendance is by invitation. Media should indicate their affiliation when requesting an invitation. Sessions are on the record unless otherwise announced.

  • Crocker Coulson, AUM Advisors, crocker.coulson@aumadvisors.com

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