Agenda key topics

Ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including developments in Iran and the Red Sea, are impacting shipping routes, insurance costs, and trade flows.
Disruption to shipping traffic and regional port operations is affecting steel logistics and delivery timelines.
Potential shifts in sourcing strategies as companies seek to reevaluate risk.
Winners may include producers with inland or alternative port access, while those reliant on disrupted routes may face delays and cost increases.

Transition to low-carbon steelmaking using hydrogen-based DRI, electric arc furnaces (EAF), and carbon capture technologies.
Regional green steel initiatives in the UAE, Oman, Algeria, and Libya, including pilot projects and full-scale hydrogen-ready plants.
Certification and standardization of green steel products to meet global sustainability benchmarks and support export competitiveness.
Strategic alignment with net-zero targets and ESG expectations from global buyers and regulators.

Impact of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and tightening of import quotas on MENA and Asian exporters, alongside a wider look at carbon schemes globally.
Rising global protectionism and anti-dumping measures reshaping trade flows and creating new market dynamics.
Opportunities for MENA producers to gain EU market share due to lower carbon intensity compared to Asian mills.
Regional policy responses, such as Turkey’s revised inward processing regime and local sourcing mandates.

Growing demand for ferrous scrap driven by decarbonization, with limited availability in key MENA markets like Egypt, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia.
Surge in scrap imports and concerns over global scrap protectionism and EU export restrictions.
Iron ore flows and developments, including the impact of new projects.
DRI pellet supply constraints as green steel production scales up, alongside investments in pelletizing capacity across the region.
Infrastructure and logistics challenges, particularly in Africa, affecting competitiveness and delivery timelines.

Innovations in process technology, including electric heating for DRI and carbon-reducing technology developments in current BOF operations.
Development of high-value steel products for automotive, renewable energy, and construction sectors.
Focus on energy efficiency, waste heat recovery, and digital transformation to reduce costs and emissions.

Strong GDP growth across Sub-Saharan Africa driving infrastructure-led steel demand.
New steelmaking capacity under development in Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Algeria, and Egypt.
Heavy reliance on imports for finished and semi-finished steel, with 75% of Africa’s steel imports being finished products.
Opportunities for local value addition, especially in flat steel production, to reduce import dependency.
Challenges include poor logistics, high debt burdens, and exposure to CBAM-related export costs.

India’s steel demand is projected to nearly double by 2035, driven by infrastructure, automotive, and renewable energy sectors.
Capacity expansion from approximately 180 million tonnes to 260–280 million tonnes by 2035.
Shift toward value-added and specialty steels to meet evolving domestic and export market needs.
Decarbonization efforts include the National Green Hydrogen Mission, increased scrap usage, and pilot projects for hydrogen-based steelmaking.

Discover the key agenda topics 2026