The United States(US) has offered to help Kenya develop its critical minerals processing industry as Washington intensifies efforts to secure access to strategic mineral resources amid growing competition with China, according to Reuters.
A senior US official said on Wednesday that Washington was ready to support Kenya in developing a transparent mining sector that would benefit local communities and strengthen global supply chains.
The focus includes Kenya’s Mrima Hill deposit, a coastal mineral site expected to contain rare earth minerals and niobium worth tens of billions of dollars. Niobium is used in aerospace manufacturing.
Frank Garcia, assistant secretary of state for Africa, said critical minerals were a priority for President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He added that Washington was ready to work with Kenya as it seeks to become a regional leader in the sector.
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Garcia made the remarks at a meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Kenya.
He said the United States was ready to help Kenya develop a mining sector that attracts legitimate businesses, respects local communities and contributes to secure global supply chains.
The move comes as Washington seeks to strengthen its position in the global critical minerals market, where China has a dominant role in the production and processing of several rare earth elements.
The US International Development Finance Corporation is also backing a pipeline of rare earth projects in Africa as Washington seeks to reduce its dependence on China, which dominates the global supply chain and has tightened export controls in recent years.
Kenyan President William Ruto welcomed the US support, saying the country wanted to accelerate the responsible exploration and development of rare earth elements, titanium, graphite, lithium, niobium and other strategic resources.
Ruto said local processing of minerals would help his government create jobs and strengthen Kenya’s domestic processing capacity.
The Mrima Hill project is attracting competing bids. US company Critical Metals Corp and Australia’s RareX said in July that they had been shortlisted to compete for the rights to develop the deposit, although Kenya’s government has not published a shortlist.
Garcia said the United States favoured a mining development model that includes local processing and value addition in producing countries.
The development highlights the growing geopolitical importance of Africa’s mineral wealth as major powers compete to secure supplies needed for advanced technology, energy systems and defence industries.
Kenya and the United States had previously indicated that they were close to sealing a formal critical minerals agreement, but neither side provided an update on the agreement on Wednesday.
The latest US offer marks another step in Washington’s effort to deepen its economic and strategic engagement with Kenya while competing with China for access to Africa’s critical mineral resources.
