Africa’s Critical Minerals Future

At a CSIS event, the ambassadors of Zambia and Tanzania discussed the future of critical minerals in Africa, focusing on what it takes to build a sustained pipeline of investment in mining, processing, and infrastructure. The Zambian ambassador highlighted a recent reclassification of the country’s credit profile by the US Exim Bank as a signal of confidence, while noting that an “artificially inflated risk premium” still deters private sector investment.

The Tanzanian ambassador stressed the need for value addition on the continent and regional cooperation, citing SADC’s efforts to align principles on critical minerals. Both ambassadors noted a shift toward commercial diplomacy in their roles, with the US showing more aggressive engagement in 2026 compared to the past.

Sources: CSIS (YouTube)