The United States has pledged support for Kenya’s efforts to develop a transparent critical minerals industry focused on local processing, value addition, and stronger global supply chain partnerships.
Speaking at a meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce in Kenya, Frank Garcia, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, said Washington was ready to work with Kenya as the country seeks to position itself as a regional hub for critical minerals.
“Critical minerals are a top priority for President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and we are ready to work with Kenya as it becomes a regional leader in this space,” Garcia said.
He added that US support would focus on building a mining sector that attracts responsible investment, respects local communities, and strengthens global supply chains.
The partnership comes as countries seek to reduce reliance on concentrated mineral supply chains, particularly for rare earth elements and other strategic resources used in technologies, energy systems, and advanced manufacturing.
The US International Development Finance Corporation has been supporting a pipeline of African rare earth projects as Washington looks to diversify supply sources beyond China, which currently dominates much of the global processing capacity.
“If we are serious about rare earth minerals, energy and a stronger America, we do it in partnership, not alone,” Garcia said.
Kenya’s President William Ruto welcomed the support, saying increased investment in mineral processing would help create jobs and generate greater economic value from the country’s natural resources.
He said Kenya was accelerating responsible exploration and development of strategic resources, including rare earth elements, titanium, graphite, lithium, and niobium.
Focus on Value Addition
A key part of Kenya’s minerals strategy is ensuring that resources are processed locally rather than exported in raw form.
US officials said they support a development model that allows producing countries to capture more value from their mineral resources through local processing and industrial development.
Chris Kulukundis, the US Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southern Africa and Critical Minerals, said Kenya and the US share a common approach to developing the mining sector responsibly.
He noted that the tender process for the Mrima Hill rare earth project was progressing transparently, with US-backed companies among those competing for development rights.
Kenya’s government has identified six companies as potential bidders for the project, although an official shortlist has not yet been released.
The Mrima Hill project, located in Kwale County, is considered one of Kenya’s most significant potential sources of rare earth minerals.
As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, Kenya’s ability to attract investment, develop skilled talent, and establish local processing capacity will determine how much economic value the sector creates.
For Kenya, the emerging minerals sector represents an opportunity to support industrial growth, create employment, and strengthen its role in global supply chains.