U.S. Should Increase Engagement With African Countries For Greater Access to Critical Minerals – Report

China’s processing of key critical minerals and rare earth elements. Source: International Energy Agency (IEA), The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions (Paris: IEA, 2021; revised March 2022), 31, https://www .iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions.

The U.S. should boost engagement with African countries in mutually beneficial partnerships to be the continent’s preferred partner for critical minerals development. This will not be easy, as there is no sign that China is retreating in African markets, and the U.S.’s economic competition in Africa is growing, according to a new report.

These are the findings of a report produced by a senior study group at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) exploring Africa’s role in U.S. efforts to diversify its critical mineral supply chains.

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