U.S. Unveils New Technology Pitch for Kenya’s Critical Minerals

U.S. Unveils New Technology Pitch for Kenya’s Critical Minerals

The United States is exploring the use of advanced American technology to support Kenya’s critical minerals sector as Washington seeks deeper commercial cooperation with Nairobi in mining, processing and value addition.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia said Washington’s approach would focus on providing technology and technical expertise rather than directly taking over mining operations.

Garcia spoke during a fireside chat hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Friday, September 18, during discussions on the future of US-Africa commercial diplomacy and minerals cooperation. CSIS confirmed that Garcia participated in the event focused on the future of US-Africa minerals diplomacy.

The official said he had discussed Kenya’s mining sector with President William Ruto during his recent visit to the country, identifying critical minerals as an area for expanded bilateral cooperation.

“The United States made a decision early on that we weren’t necessarily going to be the miners, but we were going to be the technology leaders in going after the minerals.”

Garcia said the United States had spent between 10 and 15 years developing technologies that could be applied across different stages of the minerals value chain, including extraction and refining.

He said Washington was now interested in making some of those technologies available to African partners as countries seek to increase local processing instead of exporting raw minerals for processing elsewhere.

“That’s what our African partners want. They want the value addition.”

The proposed approach could have implications for Kenya as the country seeks to develop its mining industry and attract investment into mineral exploration and processing.

Recent discussions between Kenya and the United States have included potential cooperation in critical minerals, with Washington expressing interest in supporting the development of Kenya’s mining sector.

Garcia previously said the United States was prepared to work with Kenya as it develops its critical minerals industry, including through advanced mining technologies and private-sector investment.

One project attracting attention is the Mrima Hill mineral deposit on Kenya’s coast, which is associated with rare earth elements and niobium. Kenya has been considering bids for development of the project, while US and Australian companies have been among firms linked to the tender process.

Garcia also discussed technology capable of recovering more than one mineral during a single extraction process. Such technology could potentially allow operators to recover several commercially useful resources from the same deposit.

However, he did not identify the African country involved in a tender for the technology and did not say that the tender was specifically connected to Kenya.

The discussions come as the United States places greater emphasis on securing critical mineral supply chains through partnerships with countries outside the traditional major producing and processing markets. CSIS has described international partnerships as an important component of efforts to strengthen mineral supply chains.

For Kenya, the proposed cooperation comes as the government seeks greater value from its mineral resources through local processing, investment and technology transfer.

The extent of any future US involvement, including specific projects, investment amounts and technologies to be deployed in Kenya, remains subject to further negotiations between the two countries.

The proposed partnership therefore represents an area of continuing bilateral discussions rather than a confirmed nationwide rollout of US mining technology in Kenya.

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U.S. Unveils New Technology Pitch for Kenya’s Critical Minerals