U.S. engagement across Africa’s mining and technology sectors is accelerating through partnerships tied to critical mineral development, technology transfer and responsible supply chains – particularly in the DRC, where resource corridors rich in cobalt, lithium and copper are drawing renewed interest not only for extraction but also for AI-enabled exploration, mapping and processing. At the same time, Chinese firms continue to expand their role in copper and cobalt production and refining, underscoring Africa’s importance to the minerals used in AI hardware and batteries.

Africa holds roughly 30% of the world’s known critical mineral reserves, including cobalt, lithium, graphite and platinum group metals essential for semiconductors, batteries and high-performance computing systems. Yet much of the continent’s value capture remains concentrated in upstream extraction, leaving significant room for investment in refining, modular processing, mining technology and AI-driven exploration. New entrants are already moving. KoBold Metals – backed by global technology investors – is expanding AI-powered mineral discovery in the DRC, signaling how advanced analytics and resource security are becoming tightly linked.

Beyond minerals, Africa’s AI relevance is increasingly defined by digital infrastructure and localized innovation. The International Finance Corporation has committed $100 million to data center developer Raxio Group to expand facilities across Ethiopia, Angola, Ivory Coast, Mozambique and the DRC – addressing the continent’s less than 1% share of global data center capacity while enabling cloud computing and AI deployment closer to end users. New private investments, including a renewable-powered AI data center in Uganda, signal the emergence of local infrastructure that allows African countries to store data domestically, strengthen research capacity and support wider enterprise adoption of AI.

Gulf investors are also entering the landscape. A $1 billion initiative announced by the United Arab Emirates to expand AI infrastructure and services across Africa reflects rising recognition that the continent will play a meaningful role not only in supplying AI inputs but also in shaping downstream applications across healthcare, education and climate resilience.

This shift is reflected in the upcoming Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris, which will, for the first time, feature a dedicated AI track embedded within its core program. Discussions will examine how AI-driven analytics, predictive maintenance and integrated data systems can strengthen midstream reliability, optimize infrastructure performance and accelerate industrial efficiency across African energy markets – demonstrating the practical intersection of AI with real-economy investment.

For global investors operating at the nexus of energy, mining and advanced technology, Africa represents a rare alignment of resource abundance, infrastructure build-out and rising digital demand. As the U.S., China and other powers compete to shape the future of AI, Africa is shifting from a marginal supplier to a more strategic player in the global AI economy.

IAE 2026 is an exclusive forum designed to connect African energy markets with global investors, serving as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to African Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris, the event will provide delegates with two days of in-depth engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, visit www.invest-africa-energy.com. To sponsor or register as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com