Why the West and China Are Scrambling for Africa’s Minerals

Struggle for African minerals

Introduction: A New Scramble for Africa

From the deserts of Niger to the copper belts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa is once again the focus of global powers not for colonization, but for control over its vast mineral wealth.

As the world transitions toward green energy, electric vehicles, and digital infrastructure, demand for critical resources like cobalt, lithium, copper, and rare earths has exploded. In this new era of competition, China and Western nations are engaged in a modern-day scramble for Africa's mineral riches, raising both opportunities and concerns for the continent’s future.

Why Africa Matters in the Global Supply Chain

Africa is home to:

• 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves (mostly in the DRC)

• 50%+ of manganese and platinum deposits

• Vast untapped reserves of lithium, graphite, and nickel

These minerals are essential for:

• Electric vehicle batteries

• Solar panels and wind turbines

• Smartphones and advanced electronics

With the clean energy transition accelerating, global demand is set to quadruple by 2030, and whoever controls the supply chain will shape the future of global technology and power.

China’s Strategic Advantage in Africa

China has spent the last two decades quietly building deep influence across Africa through a mix of diplomacy, infrastructure investments, and state-backed mining deals.

Key facts:

• China controls or finances 60–70% of cobalt refining globally

• Chinese firms own major stakes in lithium mines in Zimbabwe and copper operations in Zambia and DRC

• The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has funded roads, ports, and energy infrastructure across 40+ African countries

While critics argue that China’s model sometimes lacks transparency and local accountability, it has proven fast, consistent, and long-term.

The West’s Late Push and Its Risks

After years of strategic inaction, Western powers especially the United States, European Union, and Canada are now racing to secure African mineral deals.

Recent moves:

• The U.S. launched the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) to reduce dependence on China

• EU’s Global Gateway Initiative promises $150 billion in African infrastructure support

• President Biden’s administration signed a pact with Congo and Zambia to develop EV supply chains

However, the West faces three major challenges:

1. Trust deficit due to past colonial histories

2. Slow bureaucratic processes compared to China’s speed

3. Local resistance to resource exploitation without benefit-sharing

What’s at Stake for Africa?

Africa holds a critical bargaining chip—but it also faces serious risks.

Potential Opportunities:

• More foreign investment and infrastructure

• Job creation in mining and processing sectors

• Stronger negotiation power on global stage

Potential Risks:

• Environmental degradation and unsafe labor practices

• Unequal partnerships that strip value from local communities

• Increased geopolitical tension or proxy influence

As Dr. Carlos Lopes, former Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, once said:

“Africa must not repeat the past. This time, the continent must lead negotiations on its own terms.”

What Needs to Happen Next?

For Africa to benefit from this global race, leaders must:

• Negotiate contracts that ensure local value addition (not just raw export)

• Enforce environmental and labor protections

• Create transparent public-private frameworks to manage revenue and royalties

• Invest in refining and processing infrastructure locally

Civil society, media, and watchdog groups also have a role: holding governments and companies accountable to ensure resource wealth becomes a blessing not a curse.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Africa

The race for Africa’s minerals is about much more than rocks and contracts it’s about power, sovereignty, and the future of global development.

If managed wisely, this moment could catalyze Africa’s transformation into a global economic leader. If mismanaged, it could deepen inequality, foreign dependency, and internal conflict.

The scramble is on. The question is: who will truly benefit?

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