Dentons’ Iyunola Adekanye Appointed to African Mining Week Advisory Board

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Iyunola Adekanye, a partner at global law firm Dentons and head of its Africa Mining and Projects practice, has been appointed to the Advisory Board of African Mining Week (AMW), one of the continent’s largest mining investment and policy forums.

The appointment recognises Adekanye’s extensive expertise in mining law, project finance, and cross-border transactions across Africa. She brings deep experience advising on major mining deals, regulatory frameworks, ESG compliance, and community engagement strategies in key jurisdictions including Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Adekanye has built a strong reputation for guiding international and local clients through complex mining licensing, mergers and acquisitions, and sustainability-linked financing. Her work spans the full mining value chain from exploration and development to operational expansion and responsible exit strategies.

Her addition to the AMW Advisory Board strengthens the event’s ability to address critical industry topics such as evolving mining codes, local content requirements, energy transition minerals, and the balance between investment attraction and community development.

African Mining Week, organised by the African Energy Chamber and other partners, serves as a major platform for mining companies, governments, investors, and service providers to discuss opportunities and challenges in Africa’s mining sector. The 2026 edition is expected to attract heightened attention as demand for critical minerals accelerates globally.

The appointment comes at a pivotal time for African mining. With the global energy transition driving demand for lithium, cobalt, copper, and other metals, many African governments are reviewing policies to maximise value from their resources. Legal experts like Adekanye play a growing role in shaping frameworks that attract responsible investment while protecting national interests.

Dentons has significantly expanded its African footprint in recent years, positioning itself as a key advisor to the resources sector. Adekanye’s elevation to the advisory board further raises the firm’s visibility in the mining industry.

Industry stakeholders view her involvement as a positive signal for the quality of discourse at AMW 2026. Her practical experience in deal structuring and regulatory navigation is expected to contribute valuable insights on how mining projects can deliver long-term economic benefits across the continent.

As Africa seeks to strengthen its position in the global critical minerals supply chain, appointments like this help ensure high-level forums such as African Mining Week remain relevant and solution-oriented for both governments and investors.