KIGALI — In a move that signals a significant shift in the geopolitics of critical minerals, tungsten from Rwanda’s Nyakabingo Mine has officially entered the United States defense supply chain. The development marks the first time the strategic mineral has flowed from Africa’s Great Lakes region directly into the high-spec American military and aerospace ecosystem.
The breakthrough comes via a multi-year supply agreement with Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP), the largest tungsten manufacturer in the U.S. Under the deal, facilitated by metals trader Traxys, Rwanda will ship between four and seven containers of tungsten concentrate every quarter for the next two years.
A Strategic Alternative to Chinese Dominance
The timing of the deal is no coincidence. Tungsten is a critical input for everything from armor-piercing ammunition and jet engines to semiconductors and integrated circuits. Currently, China controls approximately 80% of global production.
Recent export restrictions and rising trade tensions have sent tungsten prices soaring by nearly 80% over the past year. By tapping into Rwandan reserves, the U.S. is taking a concrete step toward de-risking its supply chain from adversarial influence.
“This marks the first time that tungsten flows from the Great Lakes region into the United States,” said Peter Geleta, CEO of Trinity Metals. “The partnership opens the door for further U.S. investment into our operations.”
Rwanda’s Rising Industrial Profile
While often overlooked in global mining conversations, Rwanda is quietly becoming a heavyweight in the sector. Recent data ranks the nation:
- 6th globally in total tungsten production.
- 4th globally in quality and export volumes (trailing only China, Russia, and North Korea).
To cement this status, Trinity Metals—which operates the Nyakabingo, Rutongo, and Musha mines—is seeking $60 million to construct a processing plant. The goal is to shift Rwanda from an exporter of raw ore to a hub for value-added mineral products.
Navigating the “Conflict Mineral” Narrative
The entry into U.S. defense procurement serves as a powerful endorsement of Rwanda’s regulatory framework. The Great Lakes region has long been dogged by allegations of “conflict minerals” leaking across borders from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
However, Rwandan authorities and Trinity Metals insist their “bag-and-tag” traceability systems meet the gold standard of OECD due diligence.
“Claims [of conflict sourcing] undermine our efforts as a government,” stated Alice Uwase, CEO of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board, noting that the country has invested heavily in independent third-party audits. Acceptance by U.S. defense contractors—who face some of the world’s strictest compliance hurdles—suggests that Rwanda’s transparency efforts are gaining international credibility.
The Broader U.S. Strategy
This deal fits into a larger puzzle of American resource security. On February 4, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted a Critical Minerals Ministerial, convening 55 delegations to diversify supply chains for minerals like lithium, copper, and tungsten.
The U.S. has already backed its rhetoric with capital, providing $3.85 million in technical assistance to Trinity Metals via the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to bolster ESG initiatives and workforce development.
| Key Metric | Detail |
| Current Workforce | 6,500+ (99% Rwandan nationals) |
| Safety Record | 0.16 Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (2025) |
| License Duration | New 25-year mining licenses granted in late 2024 |
| Investment Goal | $60M for domestic processing facility |
As the race for “green” and “defense” minerals intensifies, Rwanda’s ability to maintain a clean, transparent supply chain will determine if it remains a permanent fixture in the American industrial arsenal.
