An international dynamic is accelerating. After an excellent working session conducted in March 2026 with the CIAN – French Council of Investors in Africa, iCapital Ventures is taking another decisive step on the international business scene. Appointment is made: on November 28, 2026 in Geneva, on the occasion of the 10th edition of the International Business Meeting (IBM), for the signing of a memorandum of understanding that could permanently transform the investment landscape in Africa — and in particular in the strategic sector of mineral resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A Fruitful Working Session with Cian
March 2026 marked a turning point in the relationship between iCapital Ventures and the Cian (French Council of Investors in Africa), one of the reference organizations for French private investment on the African continent. This working session, hailed as excellent by both parties, laid the foundations for a structured and ambitious collaboration.
The Cian, which has been bringing together major French companies and investors committed to the African continent for decades, represents a network of considerable power. Its expertise covers the energy, infrastructure and natural resources sectors — areas at the heart of African development challenges for the coming decades.
"Africa is no longer just a market of the future, it is a market of the present. Investors who position themselves today are building the partnerships of tomorrow.”
This nascent collaboration between iCapital Ventures and Cian is part of a shared vision: to mobilize private and public capital in innovative ways, leveraging new financial technologies to accelerate the continent's economic development.
IBM 2026: A must-attend event in Geneva
The 10th edition of the International Business Meeting (IBM), scheduled for 28 November 2026 in Geneva, is the flagship event around which this dynamic is built. Geneva, a global financial centre and the headquarters of many international organisations, offers the ideal setting for commitments of this magnitude.
The IBM is recognized as one of the most influential forums for economic decision-makers, institutional investors and development partners active in Africa and emerging markets. Its 10th edition has a strong symbolic dimension: a decade of linking public, private and institutional actors around high-impact projects.
| Event | Detail |
| 🗓️ Date | November 28, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Geneva, Switzerland |
| 🎯 Editing | 10th Edition (IBM) |
| 🤝 Act provided for | Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) |
| 👥 Parties | iCapital Ventures & Cian |
| 🌍 Focus | Investment in Africa /DRC Mining |
It is in this context that Cian will join iCapital Ventures in Geneva to formalize their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) — a memorandum of understanding that will lay the groundwork for concrete and measurable cooperation.
📊 Over USD 45 Billion Expected in 2026 - Foreign Direct Investment in Africa
Phoenix Capital and the Tokenization of the Mining Sector in the DRC
Among the most innovative projects at the heart of these discussions is the collaboration with the Canadian company Phoenix Capital, supported by two major institutions:
- The Sovereign Social Fund of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- The African Development Bank (AfDB)
The objective of this initiative is ambitious and avant-garde: the tokenization of the Congolese mining sector. The DRC has one of the richest basements in the world, with colossal reserves of cobalt, coltan, lithium and other strategic minerals essential to the global energy transition.
What is mining tokenization?
Tokenization consists of representing real assets — here, rights to mining resources — in the form of digital tokens recorded on a blockchain. This revolutionary approach allows:
- The fractionalization of mining investments, making this sector accessible to a greater number of investors
- Transparency of financial flows and the value chain, thanks to blockchain traceability
- Increased liquidity of traditionally illiquid assets
- Enhanced compliance with ESG standards and institutional investor requirements
- Inclusive financing of local development, thanks to the support of the Sovereign Social Fund
A Favourable Geopolitical and Economic Context
The DRC is at the heart of the challenges of the global energy transition. Its reserves of cobalt — an essential metal for electric vehicle batteries — represent more than 70% of the world's known reserves. In this context, structuring transparent, sovereign and technologically advanced investment mechanisms is not only an economic opportunity: it is a strategic necessity.
📊 Over 70% of World Reserves - World Cobalt Reserves in DRC
The involvement of the African Development Bank, a reference institution for the financing of continental development, gives this project first-rate institutional legitimacy and paves the way for solid guarantee and co-financing mechanisms.
iCapital Ventures: A Solicited Strategic Partner
In this overall scheme, iCapital Ventures was approached as a strategic partner of the initiative led by Phoenix Capital. This solicitation testifies to the recognition of the know-how and unique positioning of iCapital Ventures at the interface between:
- International capital markets
- New financial technologies (fintech, blockchain, tokenization)
- African investment ecosystems
- Institutional partners (development banks, sovereign wealth funds)
The role of iCapital Ventures in this project is structured around several axes:
- Financial structuring of tokenized investment vehicles
- Connecting with international institutional investors and family offices
- Strategic support in governance and regulatory compliance
- Development of partnerships with key players in the ecosystem (CIAN, AfDB, sovereign wealth funds)
| Actor | Role |
| iCapital Ventures | Strategic partner solicited |
| Cian | MOU Signatory Partner (IBM, Nov 28, 2026) |
| Phoenix Capital (Canada) | Bearer of the mining tokenization project |
| Sovereign Social Fund DRC | Sovereign institutional support |
| African Development Bank | Co-financer and institutional guarantor |
📊 Projection of USD 16 trillion by 2030 - Global Real Asset Tokenization (RWA) Market
"The tokenization of African natural resources represents a historic opportunity to reconcile economic sovereignty, transparency and access to global capital"
— iCapital Ventures analysis
Key Figures
📊 70% of the world's cobalt reserves are in the Democratic Republic of Congo — a major strategic asset for the global energy transition (Source: USGS Mineral Resources Program, 2026)
$16 trillion💡 : This is the estimated size of the global Real World Assets tokenization market by 2030 (Source: Boston Consulting Group / ADDX)
USD 45 billion🌍 of foreign direct investment expected on the African continent in 2026, driven in particular by the mining and energy sectors (Source: UNCTAD, 2026)
🤝 10th edition of the International Business Meeting in Geneva — a decade of strategic partnerships between African investors, institutions and governments
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is ICAN and what is its role in this partnership?
The Cian (French Council of Investors in Africa) is the federating organization of French companies and investors engaged on the African continent. It plays a role of representation, networking and advocacy for a favourable business environment in Africa. As part of this partnership, Cian is preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding with iCapital Ventures at the 10th edition of IBM in Geneva, formalizing a strategic collaboration oriented towards innovative investment on the continent.
What is IBM (International Business Meeting) and why Geneva?
The International Business Meeting (IBM) is an annual forum dedicated to international business, bringing together decision-makers, investors and institutional partners around projects with high economic impact. Its 10th edition will be held on 28 November 2026 in Geneva, a city chosen for its status as a global financial centre, its neutrality and its concentration of international organisations, making it the ideal setting for commitments of this magnitude.
What is the tokenization of the mining sector in the DRC?
Mining tokenization consists of digitizing rights to real mining assets (deposits, mining rights, revenue streams) in the form of tokens on a blockchain. Led by the Canadian company Phoenix Capital, with the support of the Sovereign Social Fund of the DRC and the African Development Bank, this initiative aims to make Congolese mining investments more accessible, transparent and liquid for international investors, while ensuring a fair redistribution of profits at the local level.
What is the role of iCapital Ventures in the Phoenix Capital project?
iCapital Ventures has been approached as a strategic partner for Phoenix Capital's mining tokenization project. His role covers the financial structuring of investment vehicles, networking with institutional investors, support in governance and compliance, as well as the development of partnerships with key institutional players (CIAN, AfDB, sovereign wealth funds).
When and where will the MoU between iCapital Ventures and Cian be signed?
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between iCapital Ventures and Cian is scheduled to be signed at the 10th International Business Meeting (IBM) on November 28, 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Conclusion
The coming months will be decisive for iCapital Ventures. From the March 2026 working session with Cian to the future signing of the MoU in Geneva, to soliciting as a strategic partner of Phoenix Capital's mining tokenization project — each step demonstrates a consistent vision and rigorous execution.
The convergence between institutional investment, technological innovation (blockchain tokenization) and African sovereign development represents one of the most structuring opportunities of this decade. iCapital Ventures is positioned at the heart of this transformation, alongside leading partners: the Cian, Phoenix Capital, the Sovereign Social Fund of the DRC and the African Development Bank.
See you on November 28, 2026 in Geneva for a new page in the history of investment in Africa.
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