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

Business Insider Africa | 14 Apr 2026

Nigeria says it has pulled in $2.6 billion into mining as it seeks US backing to make Africa a global critical minerals hub

African Climate Wire | 18 Mar 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

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

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

US pressure on Zambia shows that Western aid has become nakedly transactional

China deepens control of critical minerals with $120bn global investment surge

Battery metal curbs sting Chinese miners who spent big in Africa

Zijin’s Congo Lithium Mine Set to Be Among World’s Biggest

Nigeria says it has pulled in $2.6 billion into mining as it seeks US backing to make Africa a global critical minerals hub

Export Restrictions on Critical Minerals: What Zimbabwe’s Recent Ban Tells Us

Namibia leads Africa’s $124 billion critical minerals race as global demand surges

U.S. mining firms strike new deals in East Africa as competition for Africa’s minerals intensifies

The Second Scramble for Africa

Beyond raw exports: Reclaiming Africa’s critical minerals for people and prosperity

Africa needs more than export bans to cash in on critical minerals, experts say

Africa needs more than export bans to cash in on critical minerals, experts say

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

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

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

US pressure on Zambia shows that Western aid has become nakedly transactional

China deepens control of critical minerals with $120bn global investment surge

Battery metal curbs sting Chinese miners who spent big in Africa

Zijin’s Congo Lithium Mine Set to Be Among World’s Biggest

Nigeria says it has pulled in $2.6 billion into mining as it seeks US backing to make Africa a global critical minerals hub

Export Restrictions on Critical Minerals: What Zimbabwe’s Recent Ban Tells Us

Namibia leads Africa’s $124 billion critical minerals race as global demand surges

U.S. mining firms strike new deals in East Africa as competition for Africa’s minerals intensifies

The Second Scramble for Africa

Beyond raw exports: Reclaiming Africa’s critical minerals for people and prosperity

Africa needs more than export bans to cash in on critical minerals, experts say

Africa needs more than export bans to cash in on critical minerals, experts say

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