The United States is increasing its reliance on African suppliers of critical minerals as it seeks to secure supply chains for clean energy, advanced manufacturing and defence applications. Countries including Gabon and South Africa have emerged as key sources, with U.S. import data showing full dependence on Gabon for manganese and high reliance on South Africa for platinum (89%), chromium (79%) and palladium (57%).
The shift reflects a broader policy effort in Washington to reduce dependence on China, which dominates global processing of minerals such as graphite, tantalum and rare earth elements. Supply chain resilience has become a strategic priority amid geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions that have exposed vulnerabilities in sourcing essential inputs for semiconductors, battery production and energy infrastructure.
U.S. import exposure remains significant across a range of materials. Of 37 critical minerals tracked in 2025, the country is fully import-dependent on 11, with several inputs sourced almost entirely from single jurisdictions. Graphite and tantalum are largely imported from China, gallium from Canada, niobium from Brazil and manganese from Gabon, while niche elements such as scandium and yttrium are also fully imported.
Africa’s resource base, estimated at roughly 30% of global critical mineral reserves, is positioning the continent as a central supplier in the energy transition. However, most downstream processing and refining capacity remains concentrated outside the region, limiting value capture for producing countries.
Rising demand for battery metals and industrial inputs is expected to drive increased foreign investment across African mining sectors. Governments are under pressure to secure more favourable fiscal terms, expand domestic processing capacity and align resource development with broader industrial policy objectives as global competition for supply intensifies.
