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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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Business Insider Africa | 10 Sep 2026

India’s largest sustainable critical minerals producer ships first lithium ore from Zimbabwe, secures 10 blocks with an estimated $7 billion lithium deposit

Reuters | 9 Sep 2026

Months after U.S. listed Nigeria as emerging lithium source, Chinese-backed firm targets country’s projects with 240,000-tonne trial mine

UN Africa Renewal | 18 Aug 2026

Critical minerals can power Africa’s structural transformation

Business Insider Africa | 14 Aug 2026

Mauritius and Kenya join 4 African countries pushing back against deep-sea mining as China, India and US race for critical minerals in the ocean

Business Insider Africa | 8 Aug 2026

America wants Africa’s rare earths. Can the continent turn Trump’s $3 billion push into jobs, factories and billions in investment?

Business Insider Africa | 5 Aug 2026

G7’s $64 billion critical minerals push opens new opportunities for Africa as rare earth processing plant takes shape in West Africa

The East African | 20 Jun 2026

DR Congo battles former colonial ruler Belgium for millions of maps revealing where its copper, cobalt and mineral wealth are located

Business Insider Africa | 11 Jun 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

India’s largest sustainable critical minerals producer ships first lithium ore from Zimbabwe, secures 10 blocks with an estimated $7 billion lithium deposit

US says it will help develop Kenya's critical minerals processing

US turns to Africa’s mineral powerhouse as copper imports from DRC hit record 53,290 tonnes

India revives talks with Zambia to invest in critical minerals, sources say

US steps up aggressive mineral push with up to $1 billion backing for DRC copper and cobalt railway

Africa braces for impact as US and China turn to deep-ocean mining for critical minerals worth up to $16 trillion

Months after U.S. listed Nigeria as emerging lithium source, Chinese-backed firm targets country’s projects with 240,000-tonne trial mine

Critical minerals can power Africa’s structural transformation

Mauritius and Kenya join 4 African countries pushing back against deep-sea mining as China, India and US race for critical minerals in the ocean

America wants Africa’s rare earths. Can the continent turn Trump’s $3 billion push into jobs, factories and billions in investment?

Global race for critical minerals drives new investment into Malawi as Australian miner snaps up rare earth project

The Lobito Corridor shows how digitization is shaping critical minerals competition

Zimbabwe's top critical mineral could be in focus as the US commits $300 million to detach from China

Africa bears growing human cost of the world's rush for critical minerals

G7’s $64 billion critical minerals push opens new opportunities for Africa as rare earth processing plant takes shape in West Africa

G7 pledges lending reforms while courting Africa’s critical minerals

Zambia and US Expand $491 Million Grant to Power Critical Minerals Future

Billions promised, millions expected: Malawi's mining boom fiscal gap

Kenya, US Advance Critical Minerals Partnership

Warning against ‘consumer club’ as G7 forms critical minerals alliance

DR Congo battles former colonial ruler Belgium for millions of maps revealing where its copper, cobalt and mineral wealth are located

Multi-metals discovery boosts Namibia’s critical minerals standing

Mozambique mining law looks to tighten state control

How Africa can benefit from the global mineral rush