Strategic advisory and advocacy organisation Critical Minerals Africa Group (CMAG) has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of three distinguished professionals to its Advisory Board: Ambassador (Ret.) Reuben E. Brigety II, President of Busara Advisors; Chipokota Mwanawasa, Policy Advisor to the President of Zambia and Deputy Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit; and Henry Finnegan, former Chief Operating Officer of TechMet.
The appointments are expected to enhance CMAG’s ability to advance responsible mining practices and support the development of commercially viable critical minerals value chains across Africa.
CMAG Chief Executive Officer Veronica Bolton Smith said the addition of the three leaders brings a wealth of expertise spanning diplomacy, investment, policy and operations at a time when Africa’s mineral resources are attracting growing global attention.
“Expanding CMAG’s Advisory Board with leaders of this calibre marks an important step in strengthening the depth and range of expertise guiding our work. Africa’s mineral endowment represents one of the most significant untapped industrial opportunities globally, but realising that potential requires alignment between policy, capital and execution,” she said.
“By bringing together global experience across diplomacy, investment and operations, we are better positioned to advance a more coordinated, outcomes-focused approach that supports long-term value creation on the continent.”
The appointments reinforce CMAG’s mission of promoting responsible mining and building integrated supply chains across Africa, with a focus on industrial development from extraction and processing through to value addition. The organisation is also working to broaden the investor base supporting African mining projects while ensuring investments generate sustainable industries, skilled employment opportunities and resilient local economies.
Ambassador Brigety brings decades of diplomatic and African affairs experience, most recently serving as United States Ambassador to South Africa between 2022 and 2025. He previously held senior positions including U.S. Representative to the African Union, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. His expertise is expected to strengthen CMAG’s international partnerships and policy engagement efforts.
Mwanawasa contributes extensive experience in public policy, law and business. In her current role as Policy Advisor to President Hakainde Hichilema and Deputy Head of Zambia’s Presidential Delivery Unit, she plays a key role in driving national development priorities. Her background in mining, legal practice and entrepreneurship provides valuable insight into governance, investment frameworks and inclusive economic development.
Finnegan joins the board with significant experience in critical minerals investment and operations. As a founding member and former Chief Operating Officer of TechMet, he helped build the company into a leading player in energy transition minerals, achieving a valuation of more than US$1.2 billion. His expertise in capital deployment, operational execution and international markets is expected to support CMAG’s efforts to unlock high-impact investment opportunities across Africa.
With the new appointments, CMAG is positioning itself to play an even greater role in shaping the future of Africa’s critical minerals sector as demand for energy transition minerals continues to accelerate globally.
