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The Observatory highlights key news and analysis relating to green minerals, with a focus on Africa. Should you have news or events that you would like to profile, please contact us.

Featured news & analysis

SAIIA | 5 Feb 2026

African Green Minerals Strategy: An Explainer

The African Green Minerals Strategy sets out a framework to reposition Africa from a supplier of green minerals to an integrated partner in the global mineral value chains.

SAIIA | 16 Jan 2026

Navigating the African Opportunity Landscape for Critical Minerals: A Q&A Discussion with Gaylor Montmasson-Clair of Southern Transitions

A policy paper published by Southern Transitions urges African governments to craft context-specific, self-determined strategies for critical minerals by building local knowledge, strengthening regional cooperation and reducing reliance on external expertise.

SAIIA | 17 Jun 2025

Building Regional Cooperation with Pamoja Critical Minerals Alliance: A Q&A Blog Post with Dr Claude Kabemba of Southern African Resource Watch

The Pamoja Critical Minerals Alliance is a strategic initiative aimed at mobilising African communities and organisations to prevent a green resource curse from materialising around the continent’s critical minerals.

SAIIA | 13 Jun 2025

Mapping Africa's Green Mineral Partnerships: A Q&A Discussion with Judy Hofmeyr of the African Policy Research Institute

A policy paper published by the African Policy Research Institute maps critical mineral agreements between African countries and foreign actors with the aim of providing greater transparency and accountability in the policy landscape.

SAIIA | 2 Jun 2025

The Role of Africa’s Critical Minerals in a Just Energy Transition: In Conversation with the Just Transition and Responsible Business Conduct in Africa Consortium

This conversation with the Danish Institute for Human Rights and its African partners explores lessons, challenges and hopes for a people-centred approach to the Africa’s critical mineral wealth.

SAIIA | 2 Jun 2025

Unpacking the African Green Mineral Strategy: A Q&A Discussion with Kudakwashe Manjonjo of Power Shift Africa

Discover how Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy aims to turn its mineral wealth into a springboard for climate resilience, industrialisation and shared prosperity, with Power Shift Africa.

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Mad Max Mining for Africa’s Critical Minerals

Bloomberg | 20 May 2026

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Featured news & analysis

African Green Minerals Strategy: An Explainer

Navigating the African Opportunity Landscape for Critical Minerals: A Q&A Discussion with Gaylor Montmasson-Clair of Southern Transitions

Building Regional Cooperation with Pamoja Critical Minerals Alliance: A Q&A Blog Post with Dr Claude Kabemba of Southern African Resource Watch

Mapping Africa's Green Mineral Partnerships: A Q&A Discussion with Judy Hofmeyr of the African Policy Research Institute

The Role of Africa’s Critical Minerals in a Just Energy Transition: In Conversation with the Just Transition and Responsible Business Conduct in Africa Consortium

Unpacking the African Green Mineral Strategy: A Q&A Discussion with Kudakwashe Manjonjo of Power Shift Africa

All news

Mad Max Mining for Africa’s Critical Minerals

Sinomine seeks $760 million for African lithium, copper projects

Zimbabwe export ban drives lithium and PGMs to nearly $1 billion mineral sales

US and SA begin promising neutral dialogues on jointly developing critical minerals

India, South Africa institutions partner for research in critical minerals

5 reasons China keeps beating the U.S. and Europe in Africa’s critical minerals war

Namibia moves to position itself as the next major force in critical minerals and rare earths

China tightens grip on West Africa’s Lithium as U.S- linked miner exists Africa’s critical minerals race

Zambia pushes back against US demands tied to health and minerals deal

US, South Africa revive mining talks as Trump seeks to counter China’s grip on critical minerals

Why minerals-for-security deals won’t save the DRC

Botswana's goal to shift from diamonds to critical minerals takes it deeper into the Gulf region

Critical Minerals, Trade, And Investment Take Center Stage In America’s Evolving Africa Strategy

Critical minerals, critical rights: The energy transition must change course in the DRC

Zimbabwe grants Chinese miners lithium export quotas

South Africa agrees new climate loan, critical minerals cooperation on Germany visit

3 Strategies To Boost Africa’s Critical Minerals Value And Economic Future

Reciprocal and Resilient Mineral Supply Chains: Lessons from the Nacala Corridor

South Africa emerges as major player in U.S. critical minerals supply chain

U.S. set to become second-largest shareholder in Mozambique graphite mine after $46 million investment

US-Africa: Who’s pushing the Trump offensive on African mines?

Congo, China deepen mining ties as US pushes rival minerals pact

Africa’s Critical-Mineral Boom Needs Democratic Guardrails

South Korea shifts from aid to minerals in Africa

News

Featured news & analysis

African Green Minerals Strategy: An Explainer

Navigating the African Opportunity Landscape for Critical Minerals: A Q&A Discussion with Gaylor Montmasson-Clair of Southern Transitions

Building Regional Cooperation with Pamoja Critical Minerals Alliance: A Q&A Blog Post with Dr Claude Kabemba of Southern African Resource Watch

Mapping Africa's Green Mineral Partnerships: A Q&A Discussion with Judy Hofmeyr of the African Policy Research Institute

The Role of Africa’s Critical Minerals in a Just Energy Transition: In Conversation with the Just Transition and Responsible Business Conduct in Africa Consortium

Unpacking the African Green Mineral Strategy: A Q&A Discussion with Kudakwashe Manjonjo of Power Shift Africa

All news

Mad Max Mining for Africa’s Critical Minerals

Sinomine seeks $760 million for African lithium, copper projects

Zimbabwe export ban drives lithium and PGMs to nearly $1 billion mineral sales

US and SA begin promising neutral dialogues on jointly developing critical minerals

India, South Africa institutions partner for research in critical minerals

5 reasons China keeps beating the U.S. and Europe in Africa’s critical minerals war

Namibia moves to position itself as the next major force in critical minerals and rare earths

China tightens grip on West Africa’s Lithium as U.S- linked miner exists Africa’s critical minerals race

Zambia pushes back against US demands tied to health and minerals deal

US, South Africa revive mining talks as Trump seeks to counter China’s grip on critical minerals

Why minerals-for-security deals won’t save the DRC

Botswana's goal to shift from ​diamonds to critical minerals takes it deeper into the Gulf region

Critical Minerals, Trade, And Investment Take Center Stage In America’s Evolving Africa Strategy

Critical minerals, critical rights: The energy transition must change course in the DRC

Zimbabwe grants Chinese miners lithium export quotas

South Africa agrees new climate loan, critical minerals cooperation on Germany visit

3 Strategies To Boost Africa’s Critical Minerals Value And Economic Future

Reciprocal and Resilient Mineral Supply Chains: Lessons from the Nacala Corridor

South Africa emerges as major player in U.S. critical minerals supply chain

U.S. set to become second-largest shareholder in Mozambique graphite mine after $46 million investment

US-Africa: Who’s pushing the Trump offensive on African mines?

Congo, China deepen mining ties as US pushes rival minerals pact

Africa’s Critical-Mineral Boom Needs Democratic Guardrails

South Korea shifts from aid to minerals in Africa

Botswana's goal to shift from diamonds to critical minerals takes it deeper into the Gulf region