[REVISION HISTORY]

US-Africa critical minerals cooperation

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2026-09-30 05:52 UTC → 2026-10-01 14:38 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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, ~~is expected~~ remains a key focus as Kenya works toward increasing the mining industry’s contribution to ~~conclude in late October.~~ 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. While Chinese firms currently dominate much of Nigeria’s lithium-processing infrastructure, this framework aims to foster business-to-business transactions and secure resilient supply chains through responsible investment, supporting President Bola Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda.

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