The United States is intensifying its efforts to access critical minerals in Africa, rich in cobalt, copper and lithium.
They aim to reduce their dependence on China, which dominates refining and extraction of these resources essential to the energy transition. A recent summit in Washington enabled the signing of agreements with several African countries, marking a step in this geopolitical strategy.
Ministerial Summit in Washington
On February 4, 2026, the Critical Minerals Ministerial was held in Washington, bringing together more than 50 countries, including seven African nations, under the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
This gathering aimed to secure global supply chains for strategic minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earths. Delegations discussed public financing, pre-purchase contracts and strategic stockpiles to counter Chinese influence.
Agreements signed with key countries
Guinea, rich in bauxite and iron, signed a memorandum of understanding on February 5 with the United States, becoming the third African country after the DRC and Rwanda to commit in this way since December 2025.
Morocco also concluded such a protocol at the summit, while Zambia and other nations such as the DRC, which holds 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves, are targeted by offtake contracts. These commitments include investments by the U.S. DFC to develop extraction and transport.
Strategies vis-à-vis Beijing
Washington is betting on companies like KoBold Metals, which hold concessions in the DRC, to compete with Chinese giants such as CMOC and Zijin Mining, which control the major Congolese mines. Although China refines 90% of rare earths and a large portion of graphite and lithium, the United States coordinates diplomacy and financing to diversify sources. Civil society concerns in the DRC point to a risk of prioritizing geopolitics over human rights and the environment.
The United States thus consolidates its presence in Africa through these partnerships, in a tense race for vital minerals, where Beijing retains an advantage in industrial processing. Africa, a major producer, observes these moves that redraw global investment flows.
