The US is backing Kenya’s attempt to turn one of Africa’s largest undeveloped rare-earth prospects into a domestic processing industry, bringing Washington closer to a project that could add another non-Chinese source of strategically important minerals.
US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia said Wednesday that Washington is prepared to help Kenya build its critical-minerals sector as Nairobi evaluates developers for the Mrima Hill rare-earth and niobium prospect in Kwale County. Reuters reported that six groups are under consideration, including two US-based consortia.
“Critical minerals are a top priority for President Trump and Secretary Rubio,” Garcia said during an American Chamber of Commerce event in Nairobi. He also backed Kenya’s push to process minerals domestically rather than export unprocessed material.
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The policy aligns directly with Washington’s supply-chain problem. US Geological Survey data show China accounted for more than 70% of global rare-earth extraction and 87% of processing in 2024. China also supplied 71% of US rare-earth compounds and metals imports between 2021 and 2024.
Mrima Hill gives Kenya considerable leverage in that competition. A March government tender document lists indicated resources including 48.7 million tonnes grading 4.4% total rare-earth oxides, plus inferred resources of 110.7 million tonnes grading 5.61%. It also identifies substantial niobium mineralization.
Reuters reported that the deposit is expected to contain rare earths and niobium worth tens of billions of dollars, but Kenya’s Mining Ministry says it has not completed an economic viability report for Mrima Hill.
Critical Metals Corp. said in July that its Mrima Earth Limited Consortium had advanced in Kenya’s tender. Australian RareX, partnered with Iluka Resources, has also disclosed that it progressed to the request-for-proposal stage.
No developer has been awarded the project. Kenya and the US also have not announced the critical-minerals agreement that President William Ruto said in June was approaching completion, according to Reuters.
