China viewed as key partner to back continent on minerals push

People visit the booth of Chinese machinery company Guangxi LiuGong Group Co Ltd during the 2026 African Mining Indaba, a mining investment conference and trade exhibition held in Cape Town, South Africa, on Feb 9. PHOTOS BY WANG LEI / XINHUA

As the world looks to Africa’s critical minerals to support the global green energy transition, experts say China is well-positioned to be a key partner, citing its deepening economic and trade ties with the continent.

Wellington Muzengeza, a research fellow at the Africa Centre for Critical Minerals and Energy Transition, or, ACCET, a pan-African policy, research and advisory institution headquartered in Accra, Ghana, said China has been an “all-weather friend” to Africa since the liberation movements.

While foreign policy and international cooperation have evolved, Muzengeza said China is not merely a key market for Africa’s minerals, pointing to its capabilities in refining, processing, industrial manufacturing and battery materials.

He said African governments should negotiate investment packages that link access to resources with local processing, manufacturing, technical training, research partnerships, local procurement, supplier development and technology licensing.