How China tightens grip on critical minerals with $16 billion mining push in Africa amid US rivalry | Today’s news
China is increasing its investment in Africa’s critical minerals sector, supporting more than $16 billion in mineral processing and production projects, as Beijing seeks to consolidate its influence over resources vital to the global economy.
The push comes amid intensifying competition with the United States for access to critical minerals, including copper, cobalt, iron ore and rare earths.
These resources are essential to advanced manufacturing, clean energy technologies, and defense industries, making control of their supply chains an increasingly important geopolitical lever.
A report by Beijing-based consultancy Development Reimagined, cited by the South China Morning Post, found that Chinese investment in Africa is moving beyond mining and quarrying to include processing, refining and manufacturing.
The report tracked $41.2 billion in Chinese investment in 32 mining, exploration and development projects in 15 African countries through June 2026. Of these, 19 projects involved mineral value addition – the processing or production of resources in Africa – attracting $16.3 billion worth of investment.
The scale of the investment underlines Beijing’s ambition to extend its reach across the mineral supply chain, rather than limiting itself to securing access to raw materials.
While this could help African countries develop local industries, it also risks strengthening China’s influence on the infrastructure, technology and production networks needed to transform these resources into higher-value products.
How China is expanding its influence beyond mining
Africa is a major supplier of minerals such as copper, cobalt and iron ore. Several countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Guinea and Zimbabwe, have imposed export restrictions or bans on certain minerals to encourage domestic processing and production.
Chinese-backed investment in these activities could help African economies retain a greater share of the value created from their resources, create jobs and build industrial capacity.
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However, the figures also reveal a gap between mining investment and commitment to local added value.
The report said processing and production projects represent a relatively limited share of total Chinese investment, in part because some of the biggest mining deals have limited or as yet unconfirmed commitments to domestic processing.
The $23 billion Simandou iron ore development in Guinea, billed as the world’s largest project of its kind, illustrates the extent of China’s involvement in Africa’s mining sector.
The broader question, however, is whether such large investments translate into lasting industrial benefits for host countries, or whether they primarily strengthen the control of external players over the supply chain.
Why the US questions China’s position in Africa
China’s expanding footprint comes as Washington seeks to reduce its reliance on concentrated critical mineral supply chains and secure access to alternative sources.
In December 2025, the United States secured an agreement that gives American companies preferential access to designated mining assets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
US-linked interests are also competing for development rights at Kenya’s Mrima Hill, which contains significant deposits of rare earths and niobium.
Growing competition has placed Africa’s mineral resources at the center of a wider strategic rivalry.
Both powers seek access to materials that underpin industrial competitiveness, technological development and military capabilities.
Xi’s message on Africa’s mineral wealth
Chinese President Xi Jinping has sought to frame Beijing’s expanding involvement as supporting African countries’ efforts to develop their own industries.
During a meeting with Botswana’s President Duma Boko last month, Xi offered support for mining development, financing and technology transfers.
“Africa’s resources belong to Africa,” Xi said, warning that they should not be used for “geopolitical rivalry.”
The remarks appeared to discourage Washington’s efforts to expand its access to Africa’s mineral resources.
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The intensifying competition could give African governments more leverage to negotiate better mining deals, attract investment and secure technology transfers.
China’s $16.3 billion push can be presented as an opportunity for African industrialization.
Yet as Beijing expands its presence at multiple stages of the critical mineral supply chain, the central question is whether Africa will gain greater control over its mineral wealth or simply become more deeply embedded in a supply chain shaped by Chinese interests.
