US Lawmakers Link Chinese Illegal Mining to Terror Funding in Nigeria

Five Republican lawmakers in the United States, have accused Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining in Nigeria of financing terrorism.

The allegation was contained in a bill titled Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced by lawmakers Riley Moore, Chris Smith, Bill Huizenga, Brian Mast and Mario Diaz-Balart.

The lawmakers alleged that extremist groups including Boko Haram and ISWAP have carried out killings, kidnappings and mass displacement since 2009, claiming that tens of thousands of Christians were killed between 2009 and 2025.

Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Chris Smith, explained that the bill would mandate the US Secretary of State to submit a comprehensive report to Congress on efforts to address religious persecution and extremist violence in Nigeria.

In response, the Chinese embassy in Nigeria has described the claims as “completely baseless” and denied any involvement in illegal mining or funding armed groups.

The embassy maintained that Chinese companies operating abroad are required to comply strictly with the laws and regulations of host countries and that the majority of Chinese mining firms in Nigeria have maintained a record of compliance.

Both the United States and China are actively competing for influence in Africa, primarily to secure access to critical minerals essential for the global clean energy transition and technology sectors.

China has historically pursued a state-driven development strategy, offering large government-backed loans to finance major infrastructure projects such as railways, ports, and power plants, often under its Belt and Road Initiative. In contrast, the United States has gradually shifted from a traditional aid-focused model toward one emphasizing trade partnerships, infrastructure collaboration, and private-sector investment as key drivers of economic engagement.