The Brookings report highlights that the United States relies on the world for 40 of the 50 critical minerals, essential for economy and security, and suggests that investments in mining in Africa can transform local economies and diversify American access to these resources.
In this series of blogs, opportunities for Africa and the United States to establish strong partnerships in critical minerals are examined. Africa can better position itself in this competitive global sector, as it has significant reserves and can advance up the value chain through industrialization. Recommendations are proposed to attract investment, such as accelerating mining operations and developing integrated infrastructure.
The 80th UN General Assembly focuses on Africa and its development. Cristina Duarte, UN Special Adviser for Africa, highlights the importance of African policymakers engaging in global politics due to globalization and the involvement of international financial and trade systems in Africa. She also highlights the positive impact of her 10 years as Minister of Finance and Planning in Cape Verde during the financial crisis.
The critical minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine in 2025 offers lessons to Africa on sovereignty and participation in global value chains. Africa has vital minerals for the energy transition, but needs to improve structural transformation and local value addition. Ukraine’s integration into Western green value chains highlights the importance of balancing extractive relationships with local value addition.
In Africa, 22% of the active population undertakes entrepreneurship, with African women being the ones who undertake the most, although many businesses are in the informal sector. Structural and institutional barriers limit their growth.
