By Faridat Salifu
China’s engagement in Africa has changed dramatically over the past 20 years, moving from a trade and infrastructure-focused approach to a more complex cooperation that prioritizes renewable energy.
With the global transition towards greener energy sources gaining momentum, Africa’s vast reserves of crucial minerals have emerged as pivotal players in redefining China-Africa relations.
Initially, China’s engagement on the continent primarily revolved around infrastructure development. Today, it stands as Africa’s leading trading partner, funneling substantial investments into critical projects such as transportation networks and energy systems, which were essential in meeting the pressing infrastructural demands of many African countries.
Notable initiatives such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have further cemented these economic and diplomatic ties.
As the world increasingly focuses on mitigating climate change, the demand for renewable energy technologies—including solar energy systems, wind power solutions, and electric vehicles—has surged. These technologies heavily depend on essential minerals like copper, cobalt, and lithium, which are particularly rich in Africa.
For example, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a key player in the global minerals landscape, contributing over 70% of the world’s cobalt supply, which is critical for lithium-ion batteries. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, holds the continent’s largest lithium reserves, while countries such as Zambia and Guinea are abundant in copper and iron ore resources.
Acknowledging the strategic value of these minerals, China has intensified its investments in African mining sectors. Chinese companies now have a dominant presence in cobalt and copper production in the DRC and are increasing their investments in Zimbabwe’s lithium and Guinea’s iron ore industries.
Statistics reveal that approximately 72% of the cobalt and copper mining operations in the DRC are controlled by Chinese enterprises, with the Tenke Fungurume Mine being one of the leading cobalt producers globally, thanks to substantial investments from the Chinese multinational CMOC Group.
In Zimbabwe, Chinese financial commitments in lithium mining have surged, epitomized by the establishment of a $300 million processing facility by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt. These lithium resources are essential for the rapidly growing electric vehicle battery industry.
Additionally, Guinea’s Simandou iron ore deposit represents the largest untapped high-grade iron ore resource in the world. Chinese companies, including Chinalco, have acquired rights to these significant deposits, crucial for producing steel necessary for renewable.