Trump moves to secure foothold in Kenya's critical minerals sector

Mrima Hill in Kwale County has significant rare minerals. [File, Standard]

The United States is aggressively seeking a foothold in Kenya’s untapped critical minerals sector, as Washington races to counter China’s global dominance over the building blocks of modern technology and national defence.

The push by the Trump administration will see Kenya on Friday host the US-Kenya Critical Supply Chains Conference in Nairobi, an invite-only forum designed to bridge American capital with Kenya’s reserves of rare earth elements and niobium.

"The platform will bring together high-level leaders from the US and Kenyan governments, businesses, and universities to engage on how the two countries can strengthen collaboration in critical supply chains," organisers said.

The conference aims to foster reliable supply chains that advance both economies as global networks shift, they added, with discussions focused on transport, trade, minerals, and business climate reforms.

The gathering coincides with a visit by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who met President William Ruto on Monday to discuss deepening strategic ties.

The scramble for Kenyan minerals intensifies as the conflict in Ukraine continues to disrupt supplies of mineral sands, keeping prices for rare minerals near historic highs. 

With sanctions sidelining major producer Russia and Ukraine’s output hindered, analysts say major miners are showing increased "risk appetite" for resource-rich Africa.

For the US, the mission is geopolitical, analysts say. 

China controls nearly 70 per cent of the world's processing capacity for critical minerals. 

The US administration is now scrambling to break this "chokehold," utilising tools from government equity stakes to fast-track permits for accessing elements essential for artificial intelligence and defense.

Studies suggest Kenya’s untapped mineral sector could earn the country trillions of shillings.

Central to this potential is Mrima Hill in Kwale County, home to significant concentrations of rare earths.

Geological estimates indicate Kenya holds over 40 million tonnes of rare earth-bearing ore and niobium reserves exceeding 680 million kilogrammes.

These include niobium for aerospace and defence, neodymium for electric vehicles and wind turbines, and dysprosium for AI hardware and missile systems.

The mineral forum overlaps with critical trade developments.

The US House of Representatives recently voted to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) through 2028, a vital lifeline for Kenyan exporters who faced tariffs of up to 10 per cent after the pact’s temporary lapse last September.

As the US and China vie for influence, critical minerals are emerging as a new battleground. 

While the US focuses on building resilient, high-standard supply chains through partnerships, China leverages its established manufacturing ecosystem to entice producers.

Analysts say for Kenya, the challenge lies in modernising its mining code to ensure the wealth buried in its soil benefits the domestic economy, while navigating the high-stakes rivalry between Washington and Beijing.