China Facing African Mineral Export Controls

 Semafor published on 17 July 2026 an article titled "Africa's Mineral Export Bans Are Only the Opening Bid" by Yinka Adegoke.

China controls about 72 percent of global critical minerals processing capacity, giving it more leverage than the countries that produce the ore.

This has propelled a wave of resource nationalism in Africa as governments try to move up the value chain.  The DRC, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Gabon are tightening controls on the export of raw minerals in order to force more value addition at home.  

Africa and the Press Freedom Index

 Reporters without Borders just published its 2026 "World Press Freedom Index."  It ranks 180 countries.  The United States dropped seven places to 64 compared to 57 in 2025.  

Ten African countries had better scores than the United States.  The top five African press freedom countries were Seychelles (35), Ghana (39), Cape Verde (40), Mauritius (42) and Gabon (43).  But African countries were also well represented at the bottom of the list.  The five worst performers were Eritrea (180), Egypt (169), Djibouti (167), Sudan (161), and Ethiopia (148).  Curiously, all five are in northeast Africa.

US Competes More Directly with Russia in Africa

 AEIs Critical Threats Africa File published on 21 April 2026 an article titled "US Competes with Russia and Others as It Engages African Autocrats" by Liam Karr, Yale Ford, and Zoe Sommer.  

The Trump administration has put the United States in more direct competition with Russia in Africa, especially in states that have come under military control.  The US is primarily pursuing security-related interests and exploring opportunities for cooperation on critical minerals.  

Africa and the 2026 World Happiness Report

 Gallup just released its "World Happiness Report 2026" that assesses 147 countries from 2023 through 2025.  The 2026 edition highlights the role social media plays in social connection, trust, and shared experiences worldwide.

The happiest African countries based on the social media focus were Mauritius (73), Libya (81), Algeria (83), Mozambique (93), and Gabon (96).  The least happy African countries were DRC (140), Botswana (143), Zimbabwe (144), Malawi (145), and Sierra Leone (146).

Comment:  There are surprises, at least for me, at both ends of the scale.  The focus on social media probably accounts for them

Washington Hosts Critical Minerals Summit to Counter China

 Foreign Policy published on 4 February 2026 an article titled "What Will the U.S. Critical Minerals Summit Mean for Africa?" by Nasmot Gbadamosi.  

Washington hosted this week officials from 50 nations, including Angola, DRC, Gabon, Guinea, and Nigeria, at a critical minerals summit.  The United States sees African engagement as essential in its efforts to remove Beijing's chokehold on critical minerals.  

US Travel Restrictions Take Aim at Africa Mostly for Visa Overstays

 The White House posted on 16 December 2025 a fact sheet titled "President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States."

The United States added 15 countries to the list impacted by partial or full travel restrictions.  There are now 34 countries subject to some kind of restriction; 26 are in Africa.  The stated purpose of this policy is "to protect the Nation from national security and public safety threats."  

The proclamation continues full restrictions and entry limitations of nationals from 12 "high-risk" countries.  This includes the following African countries: Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan.  

It adds full restrictions and entry limitations on 5 additional countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and South Sudan.

It imposes full restrictions on 2 countries that were previously subject to partial restrictions, including Sierra Leone.

It continues partial restrictions on nationals of 4 original "high risk" countries, including Burundi and Togo.

It adds partial restrictions and entry limitations on 15 new countries.  They include Angola, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The Associated Press published on 16 December 2025 an article titled "Trump Expands Travel Ban and Restrictions to Include an Additional 20 Countries" by Rebecca Santana.

This article includes a map that clearly demonstrates the impact of this policy on African countries.

The New York Times published on 16 December 2025 an article titled "Trump Expands Travel Ban and Restrictions to 20 More Countries" by Tyler Pager and Hamed Aleaziz. 

The article reports that homeland security secretary Kristi Noem recommended to President Trump that he institute "a full travel ban on every damn country that's been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies."

Comment: Most of the African countries on the list are there because of "high visa-overstay rates and refusal to repatriate removable nationals" from the United States.  Visa overstay means that an individual received a visa at a US embassy overseas to be in the United States for a limited period of time, for example 3 months to visit relatives or one year to study.  They stayed longer than the allotted period, which is a violation of US law.  But it has little or nothing to do with US national security. 

The fact sheet contains some African countries that do have unusually high visa overstay rates.  But others are not especially high.  Mauritania's B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate is 9 percent.  Nigeria has a B-1/B-2 overstay rate of 6 percent and F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 12 percent.  Senegal's B-1/B-2 overstay rate is 4 percent and F, M, and J overstay rate of 13 percent.  

The US policy seems more focused on cracking down on immigration and keeping certain foreigners out of the country than US national security.  As for Kristi Noem's comment on countries in the travel ban, has America fallen to this low level?   

Mali Receives Chinese Multiple Rocket Launcher

 Global Defense News published on 9 September 2025 an article titled "China Delivers First SR-5 Multiple Rocket Launcher to Mali to Reinforce Military Influence in Africa."

Mali has received at least one Norinco SR-5 modular self-propelled rocket launcher from China. In Africa, Mali joins Algeria and Burkina Faso as possessing the SR-5.  Between 2019 and 2023, at least 21 countries in sub-Saharan Africa received substantial shipments of Chinese weapons.

Countering China's Security Engagement in Africa

 The Atlantic Council published in August 2025 a paper titled "Addressing China's Military Expansion in West Africa and Beyond" by Tressa Guenov.

The United States needs to develop a strategic approach to Africa that addresses all Chinese security-related initiatives on the continent.  This is not the time for Washington to be pushing back from a region as important as Africa.

Gabon Acquires Chinese Military Equipment

 Defence Blog posted on 19 August 2025 an article titled "Gabon Receives Chinese-made VN-1 Fighting Vehicles" by Daisuke Soto.

Gabon unveiled newly acquired Chinese eight-wheeled VN-1 infantry fighting vehicles and the WMA-301 105mm wheeled assault gun during its independence day military parade.  This is another indication that Chinese military equipment companies are increasing their footprint in Africa at a price point accessible to smaller economies.  

China's Z-9 Helicopter Under Scrutiny in Africa

  Ghana's Citi Newsroom posted on 11 August 2025 an article titled "Troubled Skies: Spotlight on China's Z-9 Helicopter  after Ghana's Tragedy" by Kobina Welsing. 

 A crash of a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter manufactured by China's Harbin Aircraft Industry Group resulted in the death of 8 persons, including two government ministers.  A series of other incidents in Africa involving the Z-9 is raising questions about its performance.

Is Gabon the Location of China's Second African Military Base

 The Foreign Military Studies Office of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command posted on 15 February 2025 a commentary titled "China Sets Sight on Gabon for Second African Military Base" by Jacob Zenn, adjunct professor at Georgetown University.  

The author argued that Beijing is targeting Gabon to host the second Chinese military base on the African continent following establishment of its first in Djibouti in 2017.  Evidence to support this conclusion seems to be based primarily on the September 2024 visit to Gabon by the PLA Navy hospital ship, Peace Ark.  

Comment:  While China probably does wish to establish a naval base on Africa's Atlantic coast at some point, the Peace Ark on this same trip also made calls at ports in Luanda, Angola; Brazzaville, Republic of Congo; Douala, Cameroon; Cotonou, Benin; and Nouakchott, Mauritania.  These ports and others are candidates for a future Chinese naval facility.  

PLA Navy Hospital Ship Completes Visit to Africa

 The Diplomat published on 11 February 2025 a commentary titled "China's Navy Steps Up Its Peace Ark Diplomacy" by Lea Thome.

The PLA Navy's hospital ship, Peace Ark, completed in December 2024 its six-month circumnavigation of Africa where it made stops of seven days each in the following ports: Victoria, Seychelles; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Antsiranana, Madagascar; Maputo, Mozambique; Cape Town, South Africa; Luanda, Angola; Brazzaville, Republic of Congo; Owendo, Gabon; Douala, Cameroon; Cotonou, Benin; Nouakchott, Mauritania; and Djibouti.  

US AFRICOM View of Security Situation in Africa

 The Center for Strategic and International Studies posted on 30 January 2025 a one hour and 15-minute podcast titled "AFRICOM at 17: Shaping U.S.-Africa Relations" with Mvemba Phezo Dizolele and Brigadier General Rose Lopez Keravuori, director of intelligence at U.S. AFRICOM.

This is a wide-ranging conversation with a person who has served for three and a half years as director of intelligence at U.S. AFRICOM.  It covers all parts of the continent and includes comments on other key external actors such as Russia, France, China, and Turkey.  

China Seeks to Improve Security in the Gulf of Guinea

 The South China Morning Post published on 29 December 2024 an article titled "In Africa's Gulf of Guinea, China Is Proving It Is Master of the Sea" by Jevans Nyabiage.  

China is paying increasing attention to security in the Gulf of Guinea where its shipping interests have been subject to attack and littoral African countries have requested assistance in preventing attacks on international shipping.  This is also in China's long-term interest to extend its military influence in the region.  

Does China Want a Military Base in Gabon?

 Africa Business Insider published on 7 September 2024 an article titled "US Proposes Strategic Deal to Block Chinese Military Expansion in Africa" by Adekunle Agbetiloye.  

The United States will train Gabon's special forces and offer a $5 million package that includes radars to assist the country in monitoring illegal fishing, pay for collaboration with the West Virginia National Guard, and support conservation efforts in national parks.  There is speculation Washington offered the package to preempt China's goal of establishing a military training facility in Gabon.  

The Diplomat published on 20 February 2024 a commentary titled "China Continues Its Search for a Maritime Military Presence in West Africa" by Lea Thome.

This earlier commentary reviews China's rumored efforts to establish a military presence on Africa's Atlantic coast.  

China's Hospital Ship Visiting African Ports

 Defence Web posted on 21 August 2024 an article titled "Chinese Hospital Ship on Goodwill Visit to Cape Town."

The Chinese PLA Navy hospital ship, Peace Ark, has completed visits to Seychelles, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Mauritania.  It is currently visiting South Africa and will continue to Angola, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Benin, Mauritania, and Djibouti.  

China-Equatorial Guinea Ties

 The Diplomat published on 10 June 2024 an analysis titled "China and Equatorial Guinea: Why Their New 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' Matters" by Ovigwe Eguegu, Development Reimagined.

Oil reserves, the backbone of Equatorial Guinea's foreign exchange, are expected to dry up by 2035 and the country is seeking to diversify its economy as a matter of urgency.  Malabo sees Beijing as a crucial partner going forward.  For its part, Beijing sees military cooperation and a potential naval base in the future relationship.  

Is China Looking for a Base in West Africa?

 The Diplomat published on 20 February 2024 a commentary titled "China Continues Its Search for a Maritime Presence in West Africa" by Lea Thome.

The author suggests China is continuing its effort to identify a location in West Africa for a naval facility.  The current focus is on Gabon.   

China's Stadium Diplomacy in Africa

 The New York Times published on 10 February 2024 an article titled "China Keeps Building Stadiums in Africa.  But at What Cost?" by Elian Peltier.

China has been building sports stadiums across Africa for decades.  One of the most recent ones is in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, which is hosting the month-long Africa Cup of Nations.  Most of these stadiums are donations from China or financed through soft loans from Chinese banks.  

At the same time, there are some downsides.  China rarely delivers the infrastructure to support the stadiums or the funding and know-how to maintain them.  Some of the largest stadiums such as the one in Gabon constructed for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations host subsequent events with many empty seats. 

China Shops for Military Base on Africa's Atlantic Coast

 The Wall Street Journal published on 10 February 2024 an article titled "U.S.-China Tensions Have a New Front: A Naval Base in Africa" by Michael M. Phillips.

As China seeks permission to establish a naval base on Africa's Atlantic coastline, the United States is working behind the scenes to prevent it from happening.  So far, the United States has been winning the contest, which has been playing out in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.