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The Africa Center works to promote dynamic geopolitical partnerships with African states and to redirect US and European policy priorities toward strengthening security and bolstering economic growth and prosperity on the continent.

The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

Content

New Atlanticist

Aug 5, 2025

A tale of two supply chains: Comparing Trump’s new copper tariffs and rare earth investments

By Alexis Harmon, Reed Blakemore

Two recent interventions by the Trump administration highlight the importance of tailoring mineral policy on a case-by-case basis.

Critical Minerals
Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Jul 1, 2025

A US framework for assessing risk in critical mineral supply chains

By Reed Blakemore, Peter Engelke

Critical mineral risks to US national and economic security should be evaluated on a mineral-by mineral basis

Critical Minerals
Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Jun 27, 2025

Experts react: The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a US-backed peace deal. Can critical minerals help end this conflict?

By Atlantic Council experts

Will this agreement succeed in halting the fighting? Our experts read between the lines of the peace agreement.

Conflict
Critical Minerals

EnergySource

Jun 27, 2025

Power Africa can help boost American energy dominance 

By Molly Moran

Power Africa was recently paused by the Trump administration as it undergoes review to determine its alignment with US national interests. To promote US energy dominance, the administration should reinstate Power Africa to boost US supply chain resilience, reduce dependence on China, and create opportunities for American companies.

Africa
Critical Minerals

Issue Brief

Jun 13, 2025

Mapping China’s strategy for rare earths dominance

By Craig Hart

China has built a commanding monopoly over rare earths.

China
Critical Minerals

AfricaSource

Jun 12, 2025

Empower women miners now for a just future in Africa

By Neeraja Kulkarni

African countries must address the challenges women in mining face with policies that are tailored to the needs of local communities.

Africa
Critical Minerals

Issue Brief

Jun 10, 2025

Marine energy: Harnessing the power of the Atlantic

By William Yancey Brown

In partnership with the Policy Center for the New South, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center is launching a new series of publications and events dedicated to the power of the Atlantic ocean with an inaugural policy brief on energy and mineral potential.

Africa
Critical Minerals
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
Critical Minerals

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2025

How Kazakhstan can anchor a resilient rare‑earth supply chain for the West

By Miras Zhiyenbayev

By partnering with Kazakhstan on rare-earth element mining, the United States can reduce its dependence on China and build a more secure critical minerals supply chain.

Central Asia
Critical Minerals

UkraineAlert

May 20, 2025

US-Ukraine minerals deal creates potential for economic and security benefits

By Svitlana Kovalchuk

The recently signed US-Ukrainian minerals deal places bilateral ties on a new footing and creates opportunities for long-term strategic partnership, writes Svitlana Kovalchuk.

Conflict
Critical Minerals

Experts