At the recent Russia-Africa forum in Moscow, Russian and Chinese officials joined with leaders from across Africa to sign a series of agreements aimed at expanding mining operations. The deals represent a strategic push by Russia and China to secure access to critical minerals and increase their economic influence on the continent.
Key Summit Agreements
During the “Russia-Africa Expo-2025,” participants from over 15 African nations met with Russian, Chinese, and Iranian counterparts to establish a cooperation framework for the mining sector. The agreements call for creating joint ventures, sharing mining technologies, and developing training programs for African workers.
Conference organizers emphasized that Western sanctions against Russia have created new opportunities for Africa to develop partnerships with alternative economic powers. The participation of the Chinese Chongqing Pump Plant company signaled practical collaboration between the two powers in African mining projects.
Africa’s Growing Mineral Wealth
These developments come as Africa’s mineral resources grow increasingly valuable in the global economy. The continent holds about 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, including critical components for electronics and green energy technologies. The Democratic Republic of Congo alone produces over 70% of global cobalt, essential for electric vehicle batteries.
African representatives at the summit stressed their interest in partnerships that go beyond simple resource extraction, requesting technology transfers and support for building local processing facilities. Several African nations have recently implemented policies to retain more value from their minerals, including Zimbabwe’s ban on exporting unprocessed lithium.
Global Competition Intensifies
The Moscow agreements reflect intensifying competition for Africa’s resources. China already maintains a strong position, controlling most cobalt production in the DRC and investing billions in copper mines across Zambia. Russia, while newer to large-scale African mining investments, is leveraging diplomatic and security partnerships in West Africa to expand its economic presence.
The success of these new partnerships will depend on their implementation. African nations have emphasized the need for bankable projects that deliver tangible benefits, including infrastructure development and job creation, rather than merely extracting raw materials for export.
