• China seeks deeper mining ties with Madagascar’s new military-led government
  

• Beijing aims to boost investor interest, expand role in critical minerals sector
  

• U.S. firm Energy Fuels leads major project; China eyes strategic foothold amid rivalry

China is moving to strengthen its position with Madagascar’s new military leadership as it seeks a larger role in the development of the island’s mineral resources.

Chinese Ambassador Ji Ping met Mines Minister Carl Andriamparany on Wednesday, 26 November, where he called for closer cooperation with Malagasy authorities in order to make the country more attractive to mining investors. The outreach comes a few months after the United States company Energy Fuels increased its efforts to advance the Toliara mineral sands project.

China and Madagascar already have limited cooperation in the mining sector, including an agreement for mining training at the University of Antananarivo. Ji, who is Beijing’s top representative in Madagascar, said he wants to deepen the partnership, particularly in geological mapping. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Mines after the meeting, he also expressed his willingness to encourage more Chinese investors to enter the Malagasy market.

No agreements were signed during the meeting, but China’s renewed interest comes during a period of political transition on the island. President Andry Rajoelina, who was democratically elected, was removed from office in October by a military group led by Colonel Michaël Randrianirina. The new authorities are seeking investors to develop the mining sector, which accounted for only about 5 percent of GDP in 2023 despite the country’s significant potential, particularly in minerals critical for the global energy transition.

Madagascar, which is the second largest producer of graphite in Africa, also extracts nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements. These minerals are at the center of growing competition among major powers. Chinese mining companies already operate in several African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo for cobalt and copper and Mali for lithium. An increased presence in Madagascar would strengthen China’s position in critical minerals on the continent.

China’s role is facing growing pushback from the Trump administration, which has been looking for African partners to reduce United States dependence on Chinese supply chains in strategic minerals.

Energy Fuels, whose Toliara project is expected to produce 21,800 tons of monazite ore per year for 38 years, currently holds an advantage. The company expects to reach a final investment decision in 2026 and to begin operations in 2028, although it still requires regulatory approval from the Malagasy authorities.

The development of the Toliara project was stalled between 2019 and 2024, partly because of environmental and social protests. In late 2024, Energy Fuels signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of the former president, which included a commitment to invest 80 million dollars in community projects. The future of this partnership now depends on the decisions of the new military government, which is considering its options at the same time that Beijing is increasing its own engagement.

Emiliano Tossou