Expressing support for the strengthening of United States-Africa partnerships in critical minerals development.
This is a House Resolution (H. Res. 179) introduced in the 119th Congress. It expresses support for strengthening United States–Africa partnerships in developing critical minerals. The resolution emphasizes that critical minerals are vital to U.S. national security and economy, notes concerns about foreign control of supply chains (especially by entities linked to the People’s Republic of China), and highlights Africa’s substantial reserves. It calls for expanding responsible mining, value-added processing, and diversified supply sources, and it builds on existing efforts such as the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) and a 2022 Memorandum of Understanding with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to support EV battery supply chains. Importantly, as a resolution, it does not itself create new law or authorize funding; instead, it articulates U.S. policy objectives and directs the executive branch to develop a concrete five-year strategy to pursue them. The resolution urges the administration to coordinate federal agencies (State, Commerce, Energy, Interior, Treasury, Defense, USAID, DFC, Ex-Im Bank, and others) to diversify supply chains, incentivize U.S. and African investment, and transform existing agreements into a scalable, continent-wide investment program that advances responsible mineral development and value addition in Africa.
Key Points
- 1Diversify critical mineral supplies away from foreign entities of concern (FEOCs), reducing risks to U.S. access and costs.
- 2Improve the effectiveness and coordination of U.S. government efforts to help invest in critical minerals abroad, building on the Minerals Security Partnership.
- 3Strengthen U.S.–Africa partnerships to boost new or expanded mineral production and processing, with emphasis on responsible sourcing and value-added processing in Africa, and provide incentives for U.S. and African investments.
- 4Transform the 2022 U.S.–DRC–Zambia MOU on EV battery value chains into a meaningful, scalable investment program for the continent.
- 5Direct the development of a five-year strategy by the State Department, in consultation with Commerce, Energy, Interior, Treasury, Defense, USAID, the DFC, the Export-Import Bank, and other relevant agencies, to:
- 6- (A) bolster U.S. commercial diplomacy and development to assist critical minerals investors in Africa;
- 7- (B) provide financing and technical assistance to help eligible African producers expand production and processing capacity;
- 8- (C) leverage public-private investment mobilization and diversified equity funds via the DFC and other agencies;
- 9- (D) deepen economic cooperation with eligible African producers of critical minerals.