On September 27, 2026, Chinese media outlet Guancha.cn reported that American and Chinese companies are competing for the development rights of a rare earth mine in Kenya.

The article, citing a report by the English-language newspaper South China Morning Post, introduced that large quantities of rare earth elements and niobium have been confirmed at Mulima Hill in Kenya, and that American and Chinese bidders are competing for the development rights. It also conveyed that niobium has important uses in industries such as aerospace, as it can increase the strength of steel and reduce its weight.

Furthermore, the U.S. government has promised to support Kenya in building a processing industry for critical minerals, and U.S. Secretary of State Rubio cited "added value" as an important component of mineral cooperation when he met with Kenyan President Ruto last week.

It further touched upon the current situation where China accounts for over 85% of global rare earth refining and production, explaining that even if American companies find mines in Africa or Australia, supply chain dependence cannot be resolved unless they can establish the subsequent processes of separation, refining, and magnetic material manufacturing. This is why the U.S. side repeatedly emphasizes "local processing," the article analyzed.

The article pointed out that the biggest challenge many African resource-rich countries have faced over the past few decades has not been the lack of minerals, but rather that the most profitable parts of the industrial chain have long been kept overseas. It stated that Kenya is no longer satisfied with the traditional resource development model of "excavating and shipping out of the country."

It then referred to President Ruto's clear expression of expectations for job creation through domestic processing. It introduced that when he mentioned the critical minerals agreement with the U.S. in June this year, he emphasized that it should be based on investment and local processing, rather than repeating the old pattern of merely exporting raw materials.

In addition, it also pointed out that since both the U.S. and China now need critical minerals from Africa, the negotiating power of resource-rich countries is increasing.

The article concludes that what is truly noteworthy at Mulima Hill is who is willing to bring processing plants, technology, jobs, and even the next stage of the materials industry to Kenya, and that this could be a decisive difference from past struggles over African minerals. (Edited and translated by Kawajiri)