US HR179

House Resolution expressing support for strengthening U.S.-Africa partnerships in critical minerals development to reduce dependence on supply chains controlled by China and other foreign entities of concern

Sub-Saharan Africa holds 30% of proven critical mineral reserves globally, with at least 20 African countries exporting minerals deemed critical to U.S. national security, including cobalt, lithium, and nickel essential for clean energy, electronics, and defense

U.S. was 82% or more net-reliant on imports for at least 29 critical minerals in 2023, including 14 rare earth elements, creating significant national security vulnerabilities

Urges the Secretary of State and relevant agencies (Commerce, Energy, Interior, Treasury, Defense, USAID, DFC, Export-Import Bank) to develop a 5-year strategy to diversify critical mineral sources and support U.S. investment in African mining projects

Calls for transforming the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia on electric vehicle battery supply chains into a meaningful investment program that can be replicated across the continent