Burundi has signed two new mining agreements with U.S. companies as Washington deepens its economic engagement with Africa’s critical minerals sector, a region increasingly seen as vital to global supply chains for energy transition technologies.
The agreements were signed in Washington, D.C. by Hassan Kibeya, according to a statement from the United States Embassy in Burundi.
Under the first deal, Lifezone Metals will work with Burundi to develop a large-scale nickel mining project. The initiative is expected to support job creation and boost exports from Burundi, which holds significant untapped mineral resources.
A second agreement with KoBold Metals will allow the company to digitize Burundi’s mining records at no cost to the government.
Officials say converting historical mining data into a digital system will improve transparency, strengthen regulatory oversight and make the sector more attractive to investors.
U.S. eyes Africa’s critical minerals
African nations hold some of the world’s largest reserves of critical minerals including cobalt, lithium, nickel and rare earth elements, making the continent a growing focus of global competition.
Companies such as KoBold Metals have been expanding exploration activities across Africa using artificial intelligence and advanced geological data analysis to identify mineral deposits. The company already operates projects in several African countries as part of a broader strategy to help diversify global mineral supply chains.
By partnering with international mining firms and modernizing its mining administration, Burundi hopes to attract new capital into the sector while positioning itself as an emerging player in Africa’s growing critical minerals industry.
