US DFC expands investment capacity to $205 billion targeting critical minerals

The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has increased its maximum worldwide investment capacity to $205 billion. This expansion provides the agency with greater room to finance projects through loans, guarantees, insurance, and direct ownership stakes, specifically as Washington seeks to establish alternatives to Chinese-controlled mineral and technology supply chains.

The DFC currently has over $14 billion in investment commitments across Africa, with more than $3 billion linked to critical minerals and infrastructure. The agency aims to use government funds to attract private investors, targeting a mobilization of $3 to $5 of private investment for every dollar committed. DFC Head of Investments Conor Coleman stated that the agency expects its annual worldwide deployment to reach between $25 billion and $35 billion next year.

In Niger, the DFC has approved up to $414.2 million in debt financing for Canadian miner Global Atomic’s Dasa uranium project. While the project could create jobs and rebuild economic ties following the departure of US troops, analysts note that the stability of such investments depends on local security and governance, particularly following recent shifts in mining permits and state-owned company takeovers in the region.