Development Reimagined published in November 2024 a study titled "Africa-China Cooperation in Critical Minerals: Centering Africa's Development in a Global Race."
Critical minerals account for almost 20 percent of Africa's total exports and contribute 28 percent of its GDP. By 2022, critical minerals represented about 24 percent of China's total FDI stock in Africa. Chinese mining companies account for 8 percent of Africa's total mining output and China ranks 5th in terms of mine ownership. China has substantial stakes in Africa's lithium, copper, and cobalt mining projects--key minerals for EV batteries.
It is essential that Africa develops strategies to protect and maximize the benefits from its critical minerals. Despite the significant role mining plays in Africa-China relations, Development Reimagined says China should specify and enhance its commitments to the minerals sector to include geoscience and geology cooperation, research and development in mining technologies, human resource training, infrastructure development, value addition, and supply chain upgrading.