China deepens green-minerals partnerships as Africa becomes its strategic powerhouse.
The move, unveiled by Premier Li Qiang at the G-20 Summit in South Africa, positions Beijing at the centre of a new minerals alliance with developing nations.
Li launched what he called an “international economic and trade co-operation initiative on green minerals,” framing it as a platform for equitable collaboration between China and resource-rich nations.
It was reported that early members of the alliance are expected to include more than a dozen developing countries, such as Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Nigeria, and Myanmar which are all significant holders of rare earths, alongside the UN Industrial Development Organisation.
According to Bloomberg, Li defended China’s existing curbs on rare-earth exports, insisting they were necessary to protect national interests while still supporting peaceful applications.
He added that Beijing intends to “promote mutually beneficial cooperation and peaceful use of key minerals,” noting that the initiative will help “safeguard the interests of developing countries, while prudently addressing military and other uses.”
China’s state-run Xinhua agency reported that Li also called for intensified collaboration on green energy technologies and a “just transition,” urging partners to keep industrial and supply chains stable and ensure the free flow of related technologies.
China’s Mineral Race and Its Expanding Footprint in Africa
China’s accelerated push into Africa’s green-mineral sector is deepening the global race with the United States for control of resources vital to electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced defense systems.
While Washington under President Donald Trump is backing North American lithium and rare-earth projects and encouraging Western companies to build magnet supply chains outside China, Beijing’s advantage remains overwhelming.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), China controls 59% of global rare-earth mining, 91% of refining capacity, and 94% of magnet manufacturing.
Two decades ago, it produced half of the world’s sintered permanent magnets; today it dominates nearly the entire market, supplying components essential for electric cars, wind turbines, data centres, and military systems.
Africa sits at the centre of this dominance. The continent holds world-class reserves of cobalt, lithium, manganese, graphite, copper, and rare earths, minerals crucial for the clean-energy transition.
Source: Africabusinessinsider