Critical Minerals Task Force

Home to over 30 percent of the world’s known reserves of critical minerals, African countries have a central role to play in the supply chains of essential twenty-first-century industries, particularly electric vehicles, lithium batteries, cellphones, medical scanners, and military hardware. The energy transition and economic competitiveness in developed economies depend on their ability to secure a supply of these minerals, sustain innovation, and create mutually beneficial partnerships with source nations. 

The Atlantic Council’s Africa Center, in partnership with Aiteo Group, launched its Critical Minerals Task Force on February 7, 2024, at the thirtieth annual Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, South Africa. The Task Force serves as a leading platform for research, discussion, and briefings on the burgeoning critical mineral partnership between African countries and the United States.

As part of its work on critical minerals, the Africa Center publishes regular reports, issue briefs, and op-eds on topics of interest surrounding the mining industry in Africa.

Explore our articles mapping out the latest in the critical minerals sector in Africa.

AfricaSource

Sep 9, 2024

The strategies driving the players in competition for Africa’s critical minerals

By Sarah Way

As the race for Africa’s critical minerals continues, the United States should rally its allies and partners around a common vision backed by democratic values.

Africa Energy Transitions

AfricaSource

Aug 14, 2024

Critical minerals investment must avoid the mistakes of the past in African mining

By Rama Yade, Sibi Nyaoga

By getting mining investment right, the United States can set a new precedent for its collaboration with African countries in other areas, such as health, security, and technology.

Africa Energy Transitions

AfricaSource

Jul 12, 2024

Integrating artisanal mining into the formal economy would benefit African miners and economies alike

By Sarah Way

Many artisanal and small-scale miners work informally and face harsh conditions. Here’s how the international community can help.

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo

AfricaSource

Jun 7, 2024

Increasing investment in African mining should be a higher priority for the United States

By Aubrey Hruby

If governments, investors, and development partners don’t make dramatic changes in the next five years, the United States will fail to counter Chinese influence in supply chains.

Africa Energy & Environment

AfricaSource

May 1, 2024

With Africa’s minerals in demand, Russia and the US each offer what the other can’t

By Alexander Tripp

African countries must choose wisely between the United States and Russia in their search for a partner on critical minerals.

Africa Economy & Business

AfricaSource

Mar 18, 2024

The critical-minerals boom is here. Can Africa take advantage?

By Alexander Tripp

The critical minerals discussion on extraction, national security, and supply chains will move past Africa unless the moment is seized.

Africa Economy & Business

Learn more from our research and reports on the critical mineral sector in Africa.

Issue briefs and reports

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

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

The Task Force regularly hosts private briefings on emerging trends in the critical minerals sector in Africa. Events have included a briefing to the African diplomatic corps in Washington, DC, on investments and ‘Asian and African outlooks on critical minerals’ hosted on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly 2024.

Email Sibi Nyaoga to learn more and get involved

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.

Learn more