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Vol 67 No 11

Published 29th May 2026


Africa’s minerals drive a global scramble

Rival powers are accelerating stockpiling, price floor schemes and bilateral deals as they compete for the continent’s strategic resources

For the world’s most powerful states, the centrality of securing critical minerals – particularly for military and clean energy technology – has been underscored since the United States-Israeli attacks on Iran and the accompanying disruption. Even an economic slowdown is unlikely to reverse rising demand for cobalt, copper, lithium, manganese and other vital commodities found in Africa. As a result, there is growing concern in Washington and Brussels over China’s domination of critical minerals supply chains, including the extraction and processing of rare earths.

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