US–China Race for Africa’s Minerals Heats Up in Namibia and Niger

Africa · Western Key Facts —Supply chains. The contest is not about mine ownership alone but about controlling processing, transport corridors, financing, and offtake agreements. —China’s edge. Beijing controls an estimated 87% of global critical-minerals processing and refining and issued $24.9 billion in BRI-linked mining loans in the first half of 2025 alone. —US counter-strategy.…