As global demand for critical rare earth elements rises, many countries have looked to Africa’s abundant stores of cobalt, lithium, copper and other minerals vital to the manufacturing of modern technologies. China is among the largest players on the continent with billions invested in the African mining and mineral extraction sectors. In 2019 alone, China imported nearly $10 billion worth of minerals from sub-Saharan Africa.
A construction site for the Central African Cultural and Arts Center in Kinshasa, Congo on April 27, 2021, which is funded by the Chinese government. (Ashley Gilbertson/The New York Times)
China's massive footprint in the African mining sector has solidified its position as a major force in the industry and as a primary destination for African mineral exports. However, China's involvement also raises concerns about the transparency of its operations, environmental sustainability, labor practices, and the long-term impact on African economies and local communities.
Join USIP for a timely conversation about China’s role in Africa’s growing mining sector, how it connects with peace and security on the continent, and what it all means for the United States.
Speakers
Briana Boland
Research Associate for the Freeman Chair in China Studies, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Eric Olander
Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder, China-Global South Project
Lauren Herzer Risi
Program Director, Environmental Change and Security Program, Wilson Center
Tom Sheehy, moderator
Distinguished Fellow, Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace