Cover image for Keeping China at bay and critical minerals stocked: The case for US-Africa defense collaboration

Report

Jun 6, 2025

Keeping China at bay and critical minerals stocked: The case for US-Africa defense collaboration

By Aleksandra Gadzala Tirziu

As Russia, China, and other authoritarian powers expand their global reach, US security is at stake. To stay competitive, the United States must turn to Africa—for both critical minerals and partnership in countering rising adversarial influence on the continent.

Africa Non-Traditional Threats
A view shows buildings behind a street of the Gombe area, ahead of the announcement of provisional results of the December presidential election, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo December 30, 2023.

Issue Brief

May 23, 2025

Beyond critical minerals: Capitalizing on the DRC’s vast opportunities

By Dave Peterson, Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Rabah Areki, Thomas De Dreux-Brézé, Nicole Namwezi Batumike, and Calixte Ahokpossi

As major powers contend for access to Kinshasa’s mineral wealth and Washington seeks to broker a peace deal with Rwanda, the DRC and its partners have a chance to aim high, and channel the country’s resource wealth into good governance, infrastructure, and more.

Democratic Republic of the Congo Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Apr 24, 2025

The Millennium Challenge Corporation could prove essential in the race for critical minerals. Reform it, don’t shut it down.

By Aubrey Hruby

As the Trump administration aligns foreign aid with core strategic interests, the MCC represents an underutilized asset.

Energy & Environment Politics & Diplomacy

Report

Dec 19, 2024

What African producers of critical minerals can learn from Indonesia’s experience

By Bradford Simmons and Julien Marcilly

Indonesia and its success with resource nationalism can serve as an example for many mineral-rich African countries.

Africa Energy & Environment

Report

Sep 23, 2024

Lessons for African mineral producers from the Indonesian experience

By Julien Marcilly and Bradford Simmons

Indonesia and its success with resource nationalism can serve as an example for many mineral-rich African countries.

Africa Energy & Environment

Report

Sep 23, 2024

How protecting intellectual property rights in African music, film, and fashion can create opportunity and wealth

By Eric Guichard

The creative industry has the potential to transform the African continent through economic growth and narrative change. As the demand for African innovations continues to increase, so will the need for the protection of creators.  

Africa Economy & Business

Report

Jul 1, 2024

From greenfield projects to green supply chains: Critical minerals in Africa as an investment challenge

By Aubrey Hruby

This report provides a snapshot of Africa’s mineral wealth and mining industries, draws out the similarities between the mining and infrastructure investment attraction challenges, describes the competitive landscape African nations find themselves in, and makes innovative recommendations—namely to the US government—to rapidly accelerate investment in sustainable mining industries in African markets.

Africa Economy & Business

Report

Jun 27, 2024

Migration dynamics in the Atlantic basin: Case studies from Morocco and Nigeria

By Amal El Ouassif and Constance Berry Newman

This report seeks to provide valuable insights into the ongoing discourse on African migration trends in the global context.

Africa Migration

Report

Jun 7, 2024

Digital services for e-government: opportunities for a future 2.5 billion African demographic market

By Nii Simmonds

This report highlights the potential for growth in African markets through e-governance and the importance having strong policies and frameworks in place to secure data.

Africa Economy & Business

Report

Apr 18, 2024

Delivering results for the South: The Bretton Woods system we need

By Otaviano Canuto, Hafez Ghanem, Youssef El Jai, and Stéphane Le Bouder

2024 marks 80 years of the Bretton Woods system. What reforms will keep the system viable into its next century—and delivering results for all countries, including those of the Global South?

Africa Economy & Business
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