Kenya, has launched a global tender inviting investors to develop the mineral-rich Mrima Hill, a site valued at more than $62 billion.
The move places the country at the center of the growing global demand for critical minerals, as both the United States and China show increasing interest in securing supplies for clean energy, advanced technology, and defense industries.
Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho said qualified firms are invited to submit proposals to explore and develop deposits of niobium and rare earth elements. Investors are also expected to show strong technical skills, financial capacity, and clear plans for local processing and environmental sustainability, as Business Insider Africa reported.
Recent surveys have confirmed the presence of important minerals such as niobium, yttrium, thorium, strontium, and lanthanum. However, a full economic study has not yet been completed, meaning more detailed exploration will still be needed.
Mrima Hill has attracted international attention for years. While the United States has encouraged local processing to add value within Kenya, China, which leads global rare earth processing, has traditionally focused on extracting and exporting raw materials.
At the same time, Kenya’s approach reflects a wider trend across Africa, where governments are working to gain more benefits from their natural resources. Many countries are now encouraging local industries, strengthening regulations, and asking investors to process minerals within the country.
In Kenya, the project will follow the Mining Act of 2017 and regulations. Companies will also be required to work closely with local communities and follow sustainable practices, showing a clear shift away from older extractive models.
Overall, Kenya’s plan to develop Mrima Hill highlights Africa’s growing role in the global minerals market. As demand continues to rise, countries across the continent are not only supplying resources but also taking a stronger position in how those resources are developed and used.
