The United States is increasing its access to critical minerals in Africa through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) as part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on China for key mineral supplies. DFC facilitates investment across Africa’s mining sector by deploying loans, equity investments, technical assistance grants, feasibility study funds, strategic partnerships and offtake agreements. To date, the U.S. development finance institution has a portfolio of more than $13 billion in Africa.
In October 2025, DFC partnered with US investment firm Orion and Abu Dhabi-based ADQ to launch the Orion Critical Minerals Consortium (Orion CMC), a $1.8 billion financing vehicle designed to accelerate critical mineral production in emerging markets. The partners plan to expand the Fund’s capital base to $5 billion, providing significant opportunities to expand production and value addition to Africa, which holds 30% of the world’s significant mineral reserves.
Commenting on the partnership, Frank Fannon, former assistant secretary of state for energy resources and co-founder and managing partner of Orion CMC, noted that the United States had recognized the need to diversify its mineral supply chain for more than a decade, but lacked a private sector partner with the experience and ability to operate in emerging markets.
In addition to Orion CMC, DFC has approved several mining investments across Africa in 2025. These include a $4.6 million loan to Mukango Resources’ Songwe Hill rare earth project in Malawi, a $6.5 million loan to Twig Exploration and Mining’s Barama graphite project in Mozambique, and a $3 million loan to Millennial Potash for its Banio Potash project in Gabon. DFC also provided an additional tranche of funding to Blencowe Resources for the Oromcross graphite mine in Uganda, and in July 2025 approved financing for two significant mineral projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
These 2025 investments build on previous DFC commitments, including $553 million for the regional Lobito Corridor transportation infrastructure project and $3.4 million to Pensana for the Longonjo Rare Earths Project in Angola. DFC also provided $50 million in financing for the Chillerton Copper Mine in Zambia and the Kabanga Nickel Project in Tanzania, as well as the Phalaborwa Rare Earth Project in South Africa.
DFC’s investment momentum also aligns with broader industry initiatives such as the annual African Mining Week (AMW). The initiative aims to strengthen investment flows across Africa’s mining value chain by connecting U.S. and global investors with new opportunities in mineral exploration, production, and downstream development. The AMW provides a platform for governments, financial institutions, and private sector stakeholders to consider strategies to scale up production, strengthen supply chains, and foster partnerships that support sustainable growth across the continent, with the next edition scheduled for November 16-18, 2026.
With global demand for critical minerals expected to quadruple by 2050 and Africa capitalizing on this growth for economic development, DFC’s increased investment across the continent’s critical minerals value chain is expected to further deepen the U.S.-Africa mining relationship.
