US Courts African Leaders Amidst Scramble For Critical Minerals

By Staff Reporter

In a bid to strengthen economic ties and reduce reliance on China, US President Donald Trump hosted a three-day summit with leaders from five African nations: Senegal, Gabon, Liberia, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau. The meeting comes as the US seeks to secure access to critical minerals essential for semiconductors, smartphones, clean energy, and medical technology.

The African continent is rich in minerals, and the US is eager to tap into these resources to reduce its dependence. The Trump administration’s focus on commercial diplomacy aims to secure deals that benefit both the US and African nations. However, experts caution that much needs to be done to ensure the US enjoys a clear advantage over its rivals.

African leaders emphasized the need for local beneficiation, ensuring that minerals are processed and value-added within the continent. Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema stressed that companies from other countries would also be welcome, highlighting the competitive nature of the industry. The US must demonstrate its commitment to partnering with African nations, rather than simply extracting resources.

The five countries offer various investment opportunities with Gabon producing manganese, high-grade iron ore, and oil. Guinea-Bissau majoring on oil and gas exploration, bauxite, and phosphate while Liberia produces on critical minerals like lithium, manganese, cobalt, and neodymium. Mauritania produces gas and uranium projects while Senegal focuses on liquefied natural gas and digital infrastructure.

The summit also addressed security issues, particularly in the Sahel region, where Islamist insurgency and military coups have created instability. Trump encouraged the countries to invest in defense, potentially buying US equipment. The US seeks to cooperate with African nations to address shared security concerns.

The summit marks a shift in US policy towards Africa, with a focus on commercial diplomacy and economic cooperation. While the US aims to reduce its reliance on China, African nations are looking for partners who can support their development goals. The success of this approach will depend on the US demonstrating its commitment to mutually beneficial partnerships.

Despite the potential for cooperation, challenges lie ahead. The US imposition of tariffs on critical minerals, such as copper, raises concerns about the impact on African economies. The Lobito Corridor rail project, aimed at linking copper mines in southern Africa to an Atlantic port, is uncertain due to these tariffs. Effective coordination within the Trump administration will be crucial to navigating these challenges and securing a stronger US presence in Africa.

For his part, Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema told Trump his country was open to investment and wants to see its raw mineral resources processed locally, but needs large investments in energy to do so.

“We are not poor countries. We are rich countries when it comes to raw materials. But we need partners to support us and help us develop those resources with win-win partnerships,” Nguema said at the meeting.

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, meanwhile, suggested his country also offered investment opportunities for tourism, including a golf course. Faye said the course would only be a six-hour flight from New York and suggested Trump could visit to show off his skills.