Kenya has invited expressions of interest in its prized deposit of rare earths at Mrima Hill, a test of whether the country can capitalise on intensifying interest in Africa’s mineral resources to become a strategic supplier of critical minerals.
Kenyan authorities hope the launch of competitive bidding will draw intense competition from the US, China and Australia, as the Trump administration seeks to counter Beijing’s global dominance of rare earth metals used in high-performance magnets, defence and electronics industries and build its own supply chains.
Hassan Ali Joho, cabinet secretary for mines, told the FT before the tender process was gazetted last Friday that more than 10 companies from around the world had signalled interest in the project.