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London, 4 May 2025 – A new study by the Royal United Services Institute(RUSI) highlights Africa’s crucial role in the escalating rivalry between the United States and China as the two superpowers vie for access to the continent’s rich mineral resources. The report, titled Africa’s Minerals Will Shape the Future of Global Power, highlights the strategic importance of Africa’s critical raw materials, such as copper, cobalt and lithium, in shaping the global energy transition and geopolitical landscape.
With the growing demand for minerals needed for renewable energy technologies, such as electric vehicle batteries and energy storage, African countries are becoming key players in the global supply chain. The report highlights that Africa has significant reserves of these resources, for example, the Democratic Republic of Congo accounts for about 70% of global cobalt production and Zambia is one of the leading copper producers.
However, the report warns that without proper management, mineral wealth may not benefit local communities. Transforming Africa’s natural resources into sustainable development requires an infrastructure-oriented strategy that includes investments in local processing, job creation and local economic development. This will help avoid a repeat of historical scenarios when the continent’s wealth was enriched only by foreign companies or elites.
RUSI also notes that the competition between the US and China for African resources is accompanied by active diplomatic and economic efforts. China has long been investing in African infrastructure through the Belt and Road Initiative, while the US is trying to catch up by offering alternative partnerships, including initiatives aimed at transparency and sustainable development.
The report calls on African governments to use their strategic position to negotiate favourable deals that will not only promote extraction, but also technological progress and economic diversification. Without this, the authors emphasise, Africa risks remaining a raw material appendage in the new era of the global economy.
