Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo confirmed the development, stating, "Yes, this is part of the discussions we are having with the U.S."

Among the minerals the U.S. is eyeing is tantalum, which could soon be processed locally for use in automotive components, such as capacitors.

Rwanda is among the top global producers of tantalum, producing more than 9% of the world’s tantalum used in electronics manufacturing, and only ranks third after Australia ( 54%) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (11%).

The talks come as the U.S. intensifies efforts to diversify its sources of critical minerals, amid similar ongoing negotiations with the neighbouring DRC.

Earlier this month, Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump on African Affairs, visited Rwanda and met with President Paul Kagame to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional security.

As part of his visit, Boulos toured Rwanda’s Nyakabingo Mine on April 9.

Located in Shyorongi Sector, Rulindo District, the site is one of Africa’s top producers of wolfram, the primary ore used to extract tungsten, a metal essential for aerospace, defence, and technology industries.

Trinity Metals Group, which operates the Nyakabingo site, confirmed hosting Boulos. In a statement, the company said it was “honoured” to welcome the U.S. envoy, noting he was briefed on the mine’s operations and expansion plans.

Producing over 1,000 tonnes of wolfram annually, Nyakabingo plays a vital role in Rwanda’s mining sector. Trinity Metals has committed $40 million in investments across its mining operations, with plans to more than double wolfram production within four years. The mineral is currently exported at 68% purity, primarily to Austria, before being refined abroad.

Rwanda’s mining sector has seen rapid growth, emerging as the country’s top foreign exchange earner. According to figures shared by Prime Minister Dr. Édouard Ngirente in March, mineral exports brought in $1.7 billion in 2024, up from $373 million in 2017.

Gold dominated export revenues, generating $1.5 billion, followed by coltan ($99 million), cassiterite ($96 million), and wolfram ($36 million). The Prime Minister also revealed that Rwanda exported 2,384 tonnes of coltan, 4,861 tonnes of cassiterite, and 2,741 tonnes of wolfram last year.

Dr. Ngirente attributed the sector’s success to modernised mining methods, strategic investments, and a shift toward value addition. He cited the launch of three mineral processing plants—Gasabo Gold Refinery, LuNa Smelter, and Power Resources International Ltd.—as milestones in Rwanda’s journey towards refining its own resources.

“Production has increased significantly, and we are discovering new minerals like lithium and beryllium, which are in high demand globally,” he said.

A formal deal with the U.S. would signal deepening economic ties and highlight Rwanda’s growing influence in the international minerals market.

Rwanda’s mining sector has seen rapid growth, emerging as the country’s top foreign exchange earner. According to figures shared by Prime Minister Dr. Édouard Ngirente in March, mineral exports brought in $1.7 billion in 2024, up from $373 million in 2017.