US reliance on imported critical minerals remains high, with South Africa emerging as a key supplier of several strategically important resources…reports Africa Newsdesk
New data highlights Africa’s growing role in global supply chains as demand rises for materials linked to energy transition and advanced technologies. Washington continues to depend heavily on foreign sources for essential inputs, underscoring both supply vulnerabilities and opportunities for diversification across regions.
The United States remains significantly dependent on overseas suppliers for a wide range of critical minerals, with South Africa playing an increasingly prominent role in meeting that demand, according to recent data from the US Geological Survey covering the period 2021-2024.
The figures, analysed by Visual Capitalist, show that the US is import-reliant on 37 critical minerals, including 11 sourced entirely from abroad. Among the most striking examples is manganese, for which the US is 100% import-reliant, with Gabon identified as its primary supplier. Manganese is widely used in steel production and battery technologies, positioning Gabon as a significant player in the US industrial supply chain.
Within the African continent, South Africa stands out as the most influential supplier of several key materials. It is the leading source of four critical minerals on which the US depends: platinum, for which the US has an 89% import reliance; chromium at 79%; palladium at 57%; and zirconium at less than 25%.
These minerals are essential across a range of industrial and technological applications. Platinum group metals, which are heavily concentrated in South Africa, are used in catalytic converters, fuel cells and hydrogen technologies, as well as emissions control systems. Chromium is a core component in stainless steel production, while palladium is widely used in electronics and automotive manufacturing. Zirconium has applications in aerospace engineering and nuclear technologies.
Although Africa’s contribution is significant, it is part of a broader, highly interconnected global supply network. The US sources critical minerals from multiple regions, with countries such as Chile, Canada and Norway playing major roles in supplying lithium, copper, nickel, zinc and cobalt. These materials are central to electrification, renewable energy systems and battery production.
At the same time, China continues to exert considerable influence over global supply chains. It is the primary supplier of graphite, rare earth elements, arsenic and tantalum, and dominates processing capacity for several of these materials, particularly rare earths. This concentration of control has raised concerns in Washington about strategic vulnerabilities and supply chain resilience.
Against this backdrop, Africa’s resource base offers the US an opportunity to diversify its supply sources and reduce reliance on any single country. South Africa’s position as a leading producer of platinum group metals places it at the centre of emerging energy technologies, particularly those linked to hydrogen and emissions reduction.
The data also points to a broader trend in which Africa’s role in global supply chains is expanding as demand for critical minerals accelerates. As countries pursue decarbonisation and invest in clean energy infrastructure, the need for materials such as platinum, lithium and cobalt is expected to grow significantly.
This evolving landscape highlights both the opportunities and challenges facing the US. While diversification across multiple regions can strengthen supply resilience, the continued reliance on imports underscores the importance of securing stable partnerships and investing in alternative sources, including domestic production and recycling.
At the same time, Africa’s increasing prominence reflects its vast natural resource base and its growing integration into global industrial systems. As demand intensifies, the continent is likely to play an even more central role in supplying the materials that underpin modern economies and the transition to cleaner energy.
