# US-Africa critical minerals cooperation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-africa-critical-minerals-cooperation > Updated: 2026-10-02T18:03:39.000Z. Sources: 43. Developments: 5. The United States is expanding its diplomatic and economic engagement with African nations to develop critical minerals industries and secure global supply chains. In Kenya, the U.S. has pledged support to help establish a domestic processing industry. Negotiations are currently underway regarding a partnership to establish refineries and processing plants for niobium, cobalt, copper, and nickel to increase local value retention. The bidding process for the Mrima Hill mineral deposit, which involves firms from the U.S., Australia, and China, remains a key focus as Kenya works toward increasing the mining industry’s contribution to 10% of its GDP by 2030. To support broader industrial and logistics capacity, Kenya is advancing the LAPSSET Corridor and has cleared feasibility studies for approximately $1 billion in port investments to modernize infrastructure in Mombasa and Lamu. Additionally, the country is pursuing large-scale industrial projects, such as the US$16 billion Dangote East African Refinery in Lamu, which is scheduled to break ground on September 30, 2026. In Nigeria, the partnership progressed with the signing of a framework agreement in New York during the 81st UN General Assembly. Signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, the pact aims to unlock Nigeria’s estimated $700 billion in mineral resources. The agreement focuses on five key areas: geological data sharing, mineral exploration, mineral development and processing, infrastructure, and technical capacity building. As international competition for minerals like lithium intensifies, the initiative seeks to shift Nigeria from a raw material exporter to a hub for local processing. ## Claims - The US and Kenya are in advanced talks regarding a critical minerals partnership. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Six companies from the US, Australia, and China are competing for the Mrima Hill project. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Dangote East African Refinery in Lamu is planned for groundbreaking on September 30, 2026. (single source) - The Dangote refinery project has an estimated cost of US$16 billion. (single source) - The Dangote refinery aims for a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels per day. (single source) - Kenya aims to increase the mining sector's contribution to 10% of GDP by 2030. (single source) - Kenya's PPP Committee approved feasibility studies for four port assets in Mombasa and Lamu. (single source) - The government is moving forward with a feasibility study for a proposed spaceport. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-02: U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Fund signs first critical minerals deal The U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund has launched its first critical minerals deal, investing $30 million with BGV Group alongside energy infrastructure projects totaling $70 million. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-and-us-sign-700-billion-critical-minerals-framework ### 2026-09-28: Kenya advances major industrial, mining, and infrastructure projects Kenya is accelerating industrial growth through a $16 billion refinery project, critical mineral partnerships with the US, port infrastructure investments, and plans for a national spaceport. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kenya-advances-critical-mineral-deals-and-lapsset-refinery-project ### 2026-09-28: Nigeria and U.S. sign deal to develop $700 billion mineral sector Nigeria and the U.S. signed a framework agreement to drive American investment into Nigeria’s $700 billion mineral sector, focusing on exploration, processing, and economic diversification. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-and-us-sign-deal-to-develop-700-billion-mineral-sector ### 2026-09-24: Nigeria and US sign pact to unlock $700bn mineral resources Nigeria and the US have signed a framework agreement to boost investment in Nigeria’s $700 billion mineral sector, focusing on local processing, exploration, and critical mineral supply chains. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-and-us-sign-pact-to-boost-critical-minerals-investment ### 2026-09-09: United States pledges support for Kenya's critical minerals industry The U.S. is backing Kenya's efforts to develop a critical minerals processing industry, focusing on the high-value Mrima Hill deposit to diversify global supply chains away from China. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-pledges-support-for-kenyas-critical-minerals-industry --- Cite as: US-Africa critical minerals cooperation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-africa-critical-minerals-cooperation