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Complex commercial contracts between governments and investors are a defining feature of today’s globalized economy. With billions of dollars at stake and terms lasting usually decades, these agreements shape the well-being of both current and future generations.

CONNEX, together with its network of experts, works to level the playing field by providing short-term, tailored, and multidisciplinary assistance to governments upon request. To date, CONNEX experts have advised on 40 projects across 26 countries, helping governments secure more balanced and beneficial outcomes. The scope of support depends on the timing of the negotiations, whether in the preparatory phase or during the negotiations themselves.

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Our network offers a spectrum of legal, strategic, financial, environmental, social, geological, and technical expertise. With more than 100 experts from boutique firms, large companies, and leading institutions, as well as those who work independently, we take pride in our highly skilled, multidisciplinary team.

Mining and critical minerals

As the world shifts from a hydrocarbon-based economy to one driven by critical minerals, CONNEX supports governments to secure fair and sustainable access to the minerals powering the energy transition ranging from lithium and graphite to copper and rare earth elements. Our work spans projects involving gold and copper, lithium, rare earths, graphite, antimony, molybdenum, mineral sands, and iron ore, ensuring these resources are developed to benefit both current and future generations.

Infrastructure

CONNEX has been extending its expertise to strategic infrastructure projects, such as advising the Government of Liberia on developing shared facilities to support and optimize the mining sector.

Renewable Energy

Recognizing both the vast opportunities for governments and the growing need for negotiation support, CONNEX has expanded its portfolio to encompass the renewable energy sector. Early engagements include advising on a green hydrogen initiative in Mauritania and a geothermal energy project in the Caribbean.

Capacity Building and Learning

Many development partners and government institutions place high value on capacity building. While we fully recognize its importance, achieving it within the specific context of complex contract negotiations presents significant challenges.

First, governments rarely negotiate large-scale investment contracts, whether for mines, railways, or large renewable energy projects. Such projects arise only every few years, making it difficult to maintain and strengthen skills in a discipline that is used so infrequently.

Second, due to market realities, any skills developed within the public sector are often quickly recruited by the private sector, which usually offer more competitive compensation packages.

That said, our work does result in substantial indirect capacity building. Collaboration with CONNEX experts over 20, 40 or 60 days exposes government teams to both hard and soft skills: effective ways of working, strategic thinking, inter-ministerial coordination, technical interpretation of data, and the development of financial models.

In this way, while we may not provide formal training programs, the hands-on cooperation between our experts and government officials fosters significant learning and skill development.

For long-term, sustainable capacity, it is vital to cultivate a pool of local experts. Building this expertise early – such as by engaging law students and young professionals – can ensure that future generations are equipped to guide and oversee projects that will shape the country’s development for decades.

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