The Trump administration has prioritized reducing reliance on China for rare earth minerals, a critical strategic objective.
To advance this initiative, Washington is leveraging GreenMet, a company founded by Drew Horn, its CEO. Horn, a former senior advisor to the Director of National Intelligence under Trump, recently visited Yaoundé for discussions that largely went unnoticed. He represents a broader American agenda, with GreenMet’s associates including other trusted former Trump collaborators like Georges Sorial, former legal counsel, and Keith Schiller, former Director of Security for the Trump Organization.
Central to this American strategy, spearheaded by Drew Horn and GreenMet, was the presence of a high-level US delegation in Cameroon for the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU). While the specific terms of these agreements remain undisclosed by the American group, we know that American Renaissance Minerals (ARM), a direct affiliate of GreenMet, has secured a leading position in Cameroon’s Nkamouna nickel and cobalt project. Beyond this, Washington’s interest extends to Cameroon’s rare earth deposits.
Donald Trump’s commitment to his vision for Cameroon is such that he circumvented congressional restrictions that had previously excluded Cameroon from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The US President is now utilizing the American Chamber of Commerce in Cameroon (AmCham) to facilitate new trade agreements.
In contrast to China’s extensive presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s strategic mineral sector, the United States, aiming to invest in mineral processing to reduce its carbon footprint, has made its support to the Cameroonian government contingent on transparency in both extractive industries and the legal framework. This reflects a broader shift in African politics and governance Africa.
US intelligence agencies reportedly became involved following revelations from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (ITIE) concerning illicit gold trafficking. Washington is actively collaborating with Yaoundé to identify and prosecute those responsible for this illicit trade.
The US engagement is not limited to economic and security matters. American diplomacy has significantly reduced the number of African nations eligible for US visas, with Cameroon notably among the 20 out of 50 countries selected. On the security front, President Paul Biya has hosted two high-ranking AFRICOM commanders in Yaoundé within eight months: General Dagvin Anderson in September 2025, followed by Lieutenant General John William Brennan Jr., the Deputy Commander of AFRICOM, in May 2026.
Improving the business climate remains a top priority for Washington. As Christopher Lamora, a US official, stated earlier this year after meeting President Paul Biya: « I genuinely wish to see more American companies investing in Cameroon, fostering commercial ties, and establishing partnerships, including joint ventures between American and Cameroonian entities. This benefits both nations: it generates employment in the United States, supports American industry – a key priority for President Trump – and also stimulates the Cameroonian economy ».
Washington is determined to meet the challenge posed by China, which has invested over $700 billion across 49 African nations. Some observers of Trump’s political approach interpret his strategy as an ambition to transform target countries like Cameroon, Nigeria, and Kenya into modern-day equivalents of the
