Kenya Nears a Critical Minerals Deal With the US on Its Own Terms
Kenya is close to finalising a critical minerals agreement with the United States, though the pact remains unsigned. President William Ruto insists that any deal must require ore to be refined within Kenya rather than exported as raw material. The negotiations occur as Kenya highlights its extensive deposits and seeks investment‑driven partnerships rather than aid.
- ▪Ruto announced at the G7 summit that a Kenya‑US critical minerals deal is near but contingent on domestic processing of the minerals.
- ▪Kenya’s geology includes rare earths, niobium, lithium, graphite, copper and nickel, with the Mrima Hill deposit valued at roughly $62 billion.
- ▪China’s new Mineral Resources Law, effective June 2026, aims to limit strategic mineral exports, adding pressure on African supply chains.
- ▪Ruto emphasizes that partnerships should be based on investment and value‑addition, not dependency on raw extraction.
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Eastern Africa Africa Kenya Nears a Critical Minerals Deal With the US on Its Own Terms By Samuel Ncube · June 26, 2026 · 5 min read Daily Brief The morning intel from across Latin America. Free. Subscribe By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy. We never share your email. KENYA · MINERALS & MARKETS Key Facts —Close, not closed: President Ruto said at the G7 summit that a Kenya US critical minerals deal was near, though it is not yet signed. —Home processing: Kenya’s condition is that minerals are refined at home rather than exported as raw ore. —Rich geology: Kenya holds rare earths, niobium, lithium, graphite, copper and nickel. —The big prize: The Mrima Hill deposit in Kwale County is estimated at about 62 billion US dollars in strategic minerals.
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