The United States is actively expanding its critical minerals footprint in Africa to secure supply chains for technologies like electric vehicles and defense, competing directly with China’s established presence.

The United States and Zambia have officially launched construction of the Mingomba copper mine, a landmark $3 billion investment and the largest private sector project in Zambia’s history.

The development is being led by U.S.-based KoBold Metals in partnership with the state-owned ZCCM Investments Holdings.

The groundbreaking ceremony in Lusaka was attended by President Hakainde Hichilema and the U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, underscoring the strategic importance of the project for bilateral relations and mineral cooperation.

The Mingomba mine will go beyond capital investment by introducing advanced mining technologies, strengthening skills transfer, and building local capacity within Zambia’s mining sector.

The project is also expected to generate employment for engineers and contractors while supporting infrastructure and economic development in surrounding communities.

Framed as a model of “responsible investment,” the initiative emphasizes long-term partnerships and local empowerment rather than purely extractive resource use.

It reflects a broader shift toward more integrated mining projects that combine extraction with industrial and social development goals.

The investment reinforces Zambia’s growing role as a key global copper supplier at a time when demand for critical minerals is rising sharply due to the global energy transition and expansion of green technologies.

Current US investments in Africa's critical minerals focus on securing supply chains for green technology and defense, heavily utilizing the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

Key projects include a $50M investment in South Africa's Phalaborwa rare earths, a $553M loan for the Lobito Corridor rail line, and supporting nickel and graphite projects in Tanzania and Uganda.

According to reports, the United States is also strategically entering the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) mining sector to secure critical minerals like cobalt and copper. This initiative involves U.S.-backed security initiatives, including a $100 million "Mining Guard" for site security, and increased investment in projects to counterbalance China's, which currently controls around 80% of DRC's production.