Officials gather to watch the blasting at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

A mining site rock blast is ignited at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

An aerial view shows the road network of the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

A general view of the under construction mineral processing plant site at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

Officials gather to watch the blasting at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

An aerial view of the construction site at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

A truck drives loaded with rubble at the Kangankunde Mine in Balaka, southeast of Malawi, September 23, 2026. A new generation of mining projects targeting rare earth and critical minerals could transform Malawi's economy -- but experts warn of the Africa-wide challenges in turning resource wealth into broad-based prosperity. One of the world's poorest countries, Malawi has long depended on agriculture, aid and a handful of exports such as tobacco, tea and sugar. (Photo by Amos GUMULIRA / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) Switzerland's President Guy Parmelin gives a press conference following a vote in the country on a divisive anti-immigration proposal to cap the country's population and another referendum on restricting access to conscientious objection to military service in Bern, on June 14, 2026. The President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, 66, announced on October 2, 2026 that he would step down from the Federal Council (government) when his term as president expires at the end of the year. (Photo by STEFAN WERMUTH / AFP via Getty Images)