Episode Details

This episode explores how West Africa fits into the global scramble for critical minerals, rare earths, and battery supply chains, with a close look at U.S. policy moves, export controls, and the push to turn mineral deals into real infrastructure and processing capacity.

We also examine why Guinea and Sierra Leone matter in this shifting landscape, and how governments and investors are weighing concentration risk, financing, and the long horizon politics behind mineral refining.

Show Notes

• Executive summary – Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026 - IEA: https://www.iea.org/reports/global-critical-minerals-outlook-2026/executive-summary
• Sierra Leone critical minerals strategy sets the terms for processing at home: https://energy-news-network.com/industry-news/sierra-leone-critical-minerals-strategy-sets-the-terms-for-processing-at-home/