Africa powers the tech world with critical minerals from across the continent. But who really profits? The race for resources is heating up.

Johannesburg

Africa is a leading source of critical minerals such as platinum, cobalt, tantalum, and manganese, which are essential for products like smartphones and renewable energy technologies. Despite this wealth, many African countries are not fully benefiting from these resources due to limited local processing, foreign control—particularly by Chinese companies—and ongoing regional conflicts.

While demand for these minerals continues to rise globally, Africa currently captures only about 40% of the potential revenue from its mineral exports. Efforts to increase local refining, as demonstrated by the Democratic Republic of Congo, have shown significant economic gains. However, achieving broader benefits will require substantial investment, regional cooperation, and a focus on sustainable development.

Africa’s critical minerals dilemma explained

What do your phone, solar panels and drones have in common? They all rely on critical minerals. From Morocco to Nigeria, Africa is rich in these resources, really rich. The continent dominates global production of platinum, mainly found in South Africa. Cobalt, found in the DRC. Tantalum, essential for smartphones. Manganese, used in batteries and also found in South Africa. But are these minerals actually enriching African countries? Well, it is complicated. To understand why, let's step back. Over the past two decades, the demand for critical minerals has surged as the world pushes for cleaner technologies and energy. This growth drives ever greater reliance on Africa's resources. In this context, China is a key player. It controls nearly all global processing, where raw ores are crushed, ground and treated with chemical baths. It is no coincidence then that over half of Africa's critical mineral exports go to China. China is not afraid of economic instability. China invests. That's why many mining sectors in Africa, especially in the DRC, are Chinese companies. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a leading producer of cobalt, coltan and copper. But disputes over who controls these resources have foiled three decades of unrest in the Eastern DRC. Since January 2025, M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have looted over 500 tonnes of tin, tantalum and tungsten, according to UN experts. Meanwhile, in Southern DRC, communities face other challenges. He lives less than 100 metres from the Komus Project, a copper and cobalt mine. He and his neighbours have been told to leave, but Komus, mostly owned by Chinese company Zijin, has not built their new homes yet. Other countries are increasing their production too. To avoid conflict zones, companies are investing in new projects in Côte d'Ivoire, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria. Still, Africa is only collecting about 40% of the potential revenues from critical minerals, according to a UN report. Although this is progress, the benefits could be much higher, and the DRC has shown what's possible. In 2022, DRC started to refine cobalt locally, almost tripling the minerals unit price. The result? The value of these exports was 36 times higher. Developing local refining industries that respect both people and the environment will require major investment and regional cooperation. This is Africa's next challenge, and how it is handled will shape not only the continent's economic future, but the global critical minerals landscape as a whole.

U.S. and Chinese officials concluded a first day of talks in Madrid on their strained trade ties, a looming divestiture deadline for Chinese short-video app TikTok, amid Washington's demands that its allies place tariffs on imports from China over its purchases of Russian oil.

Madrid

Global Tariffs

U.S., China begin trade talks in Spain as TikTok deadline looms

Police are searching for a motive in Wednesday's killing of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk. Authorities say interviews with family and friends of the 22-year-old suspect suggest he could have been radicalized in the dark corners of the internet.

Orem

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect 'not cooperating' with authorities

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of the trip that he will be seeking answers from Israeli officials about how they see the way forward in Gaza. Rubio's trip comes after Israel's attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar that upended efforts to broker an end to the conflict.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Israel for talks

Five U.S. F-35 fighter jets landed in Puerto Rico amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. Separately, Caracas said 18 armed U.S. Navy personnel raided a tuna boat sailing in Venezuelan waters.

San Juan

U.S. sends jets to Puerto Rico amid escalating tensions with Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes the Russia-Ukraine war would end if all NATO countries stopped buying oil from Russia and placed tariffs on China of 50 percent to 100 percent for its purchases of Russian petroleum.

Washington

Trump calls on NATO members to stop purchasing Russian oil

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday, as Israel intensified its attacks against northern Gaza. The trip is taking place after President Donald Trump rebuked Israel over the unprecedented attack against Hamas leaders meeting in Doha.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Marco Rubio visits Israel to push for Gaza ceasefire talks

NATO announced plans to beef up the defense of Europe's eastern flank on Friday, two days after Poland shot down drones that had violated its airspace in the first known action of its kind by a member of the Western alliance during Russia's war in Ukraine.

Warsaw

Ukraine Invasion

NATO bolsters its eastern flank after Russian drones hit Poland

Protests broke out in Chicago on Saturday against President Trump's immigration crackdown. A group of Catholic clergy led what they called a "People's Mass" outside the Great Lakes Naval Base. The base will also be used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a staging area for deportations.

Chicago

Tensions over immigration escalate in Chicago

More than 100,000 people took to the streets in London on Saturday, in what's believed to be the largest anti-immigration protest in British history. Organizers called it a "Unite the Kingdom" rally.

London

Huge crowds march for right-wing "Unite the Kingdom" rally in London

President Trump signaled a new position on Russia's war with Ukraine. He said the U.S. will agree to additional sanctions on Moscow, but only when NATO allies stop buying Russian oil. Willie James Inman has more details.

Trump says NATO must stop buying Russian oil

Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is being held in Spanish Fork, Utah. Officials have yet to identify a precise motive for Wednesday's shooting. Carter Evans has new developments.

Suspect's family says he recently became more political

NATO has launched operation Eastern Sentry to bolster its presence along the eastern flank of Europe, after Russian drones were found in Poland on Wednesday. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is calling on all treaty members to increase economic pressures on Russia.

Trump calls on NATO members to impose sanctions on Russia

More than 100,000 people marched through central London on Saturday in a 'Unite the Kingdom' demonstration against immigration organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Police said a number of officers were assaulted.

Thousands in London march against immigration

A former chief justice has been sworn in as Nepal's interim prime minister. For many people, Sushila Karki's appointment promises change. Days of violence and anti-government protests left at least 51 people dead.

Kathmandu

Curfew lifted in Kathmandu, violence in Nepal eases

A civil war within the Sinaloa cartel in western Mexico has forced thousands of people to abandon their villages. Rival factions are battling for territory and control. Communities caught in the middle of the violence are demanding change.

Culiacán

Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel war displaces thousands

The man accused of killing conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk is being held without bail in a Utah jail. Meanwhile, vigils and memorials across the country honored Kirk as his widow made her first public remarks since his death.

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect held without bail

President Trump has backed down on his plans to send the National Guard to Chicago, for now. Instead, he told Fox News that federal troops will be deployed to a different city.

Trump backs down on sending National Guard to Chicago

A suspect is in custody after the deadly shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Authorities say 22-year-old Tyler Robinson is being held at Utah County Jail, pending formal state charges, which are expected to be filed on Tuesday. CBS News' Andres Gutierrez and Anna Schecter have more.

What we know about the Charlie Kirk shooting suspect's arrest

The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted to endorse a declaration outlining "tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps" towards a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians ahead of a meeting of world leaders.

New York

UN endorses two-state solution declaration that condemns Hamas

In Tunisia, the humanitarian aid flotilla for Gaza is set to leave Tunis. About 40 boats will try to deliver aid to the Palestinians under blockade. In Tunisia the departure was not easy, as two boats from the flotilla were subject to reported drone attacks.

Tunis

Gaza aid flotilla prepares to set sail after reported drone attacks

Brazil's Supreme Court has sentenced firebrand ex-president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for coup plotting at the end of a landmark trial that divided the nation and drew U.S. fury.

Brasilia

Brazil's ex-president Jair Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed an agreement to push ahead with a controversial settlement expansion plan that would cut across land that the Palestinians seek for a state. "There will never be a Palestinian state. This place is ours," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu signs West Bank settlement expansion plan

The United Nations Security Council has condemned the Israeli attack on the Qatari capital Doha on Tuesday and called for de-escalation in a statement agreed by all 15 members, including Israel’s chief ally, the United States.

Doha

UNSC members condemn Israel over deadly strike on Qatar

Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate former President Trump in South Florida last year, is representing himself in court. As the trial opened, Routh forfeited his chance to deliver an opening statement, setting the stage for proceedings.

Fort Pierce

Trump assassination attempt suspect defends himself in trial

Photos of a "person of interest" in the assassination of Charlie Kirk were released by the Salt Lake City FBI. Authorities are searching for the person who shot and killed the conservative activist at an event at Utah Valley University.

Photos released of "person of interest" in Charlie Kirk assassination

Authorities shared new details about the suspect's movements leading up to the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The search for the suspect continued on Thursday.

FBI says it has good video of Charlie Kirk shooting suspect

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will award conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated during a campus event in Utah, the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.

Trump says he'll award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Authorities say the weapon used in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been recovered and law enforcement tracked the movements of the suspect.

Breakdown