Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for African countries to retain control of their mineral resources and urged foreign powers not to turn the continent’s deposits into tools of geopolitical rivalry.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The warning comes as Kenya attracts interest from American, Chinese and Australian firms seeking to develop the Mrima Hill mineral deposits in Kwale County.

In a four-point proposition on China-Africa mining cooperation announced on Tuesday, October 13, Xi outlined principles centred on African ownership of resources, mutual benefit, high-quality development and a fair investment environment, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning.

“Africa’s resources should not become tools of geopolitical struggle,” Xi said, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency , adding that Beijing was willing to work with African countries to maintain a stable and predictable environment for mining cooperation.

📌 What You Need to Know

Xi’s first principle maintains that African resources should belong to Africa, while the second calls for mining partnerships that balance friendship and economic interests to deliver mutual benefits.

His third principle advocates high-quality development, while the fourth calls for a fair and open environment for investors.

The principles appear to align with Kenya’s stated ambition to process more of its minerals locally instead of exporting raw materials , a policy the government has linked to job creation, technology transfer and the expansion of the country’s industrial base.

The statement comes as the U.S. steps up efforts to develop critical-mineral supply chains outside China, which dominates the processing of several minerals used in advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles, electronics and defence technologies.

Kenya has emerged as a potential partner in those efforts, with the government holding discussions with Washington on a critical-minerals partnership that could see refineries and processing plants established locally.

Mining CS Hassan Joho previously said the discussions involved several American government departments, including Commerce, Defence and State, as Kenya explores ways to attract investment while retaining more value from its mineral resources.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke