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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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Mail & Guardian | 24 Jun 2026

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

Business Insider Africa | 22 Jun 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

Africa faces new competition for critical minerals investment as U.S. secures Greenland rare earth deal in bid to cut China reliance.

Business Insider Africa | 27 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

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

Africa faces new competition for critical minerals investment as U.S. secures Greenland rare earth deal in bid to cut China reliance.

Türkiye targets Somalia’s 10,200-ton uranium reserves in expanding Africa critical minerals race

Elite capture of Africa’s critical minerals mustn’t be mistaken for resource sovereignty

Congo rebels want to sell critical minerals to US: report

The world wants Africa’s minerals. What comes next?

Zimbabwe eyes $21 billion mineral export boom as mining firms prepare massive hiring drive

Africa sits at the crossroads of terror and critical minerals, four- star US general warns

DRC: Moving from a resource colony to a resource sovereign

Critical minerals: the pivotal key to Africa’s industrialisation

Australian miner strikes major copper-silver discovery in Namibia amid global scramble for critical minerals

The architecture of opacity: Zimbabwe diamond industry’s lessons on critical minerals supply chains.

Mad Max Mining for Africa’s Critical Minerals

Sinomine seeks $760 million for African lithium, copper projects