Why Africa is relevant in America’s Golden Dome Defense Plan
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Why Africa is relevant in America’s Golden Dome Defense Plan
Africa to play a significant role in the development of the USA’s Golden Dome.
By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine
It feels like a scene from a sci-fi-movie, but America launched it Golden Dome defense system plan last week, and it will have huge implications for Africa.
US President Donald Trump announced last week that he has selected a USD175-billion design for the multilayered Golden Dome missile defence programme aimed at countering aerial threats even if they are launched from space.
Reading about the Golden Dome
I must admit reading about the USA’s Golden Dome plan is fascinating and scary at the same time. You’ll get more details about the Golden Dome by reading the following article from BBC and Al
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/21/what-is-the-golden-dome-defence-system-trump-announced
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy33n484x0o
REEs the most crucial
The most crucial minerals needed to build such an advanced defence systems include REEs (the most important), Titanium, Uranium, Aluminum, Graphite, Tantalum or Niobium and Lithium. There are many more not even mentioned like Copper, Tin. Manganese etc.
REEs like neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium are essential for producing high-performance magnets, sensors, and electronic components integral to the system’s operation.
Does the US have REEs?
Although the US hosts several rare earth reserves (mainly at the Mountain Pass mine in California) it doesn’t have any significant mines producing Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs) which are vital for high-temperature and high-stress applications.
It’s a known fact that China dominates global REE production and processing which has forced the USA to pursue alternative avenues and to diversify its supply chain.
Could Africa be strategic?
Africa could thus emerge as extremely strategic location for the USA. As I’ve written in previous articles, the Malawi/Mozambique/Tanzania Triangle, South Africa, Burundi and the DRC holds substantial deposits, and the USA government and private sector have already started investing in some of them.
Just out of interest, Israels Iron Dome defense system also relies on REEs for its advanced missile interception technology. Israel’s supply chain includes the USA, China, and EU countries like the Netherlands and Germany. They complement this by recycling rare earths from electronic waste.
Let’s continue following this developing story on the WhyAfrica website, your one-stop shop for on the ground information and business intelligence about Africa.
Why Africa is relevant in America’s Golden Dome Defense Plan