The United States is on the verge of finalizing a deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo that would give American companies increased control over critical mineral assets in exchange for greater support for the Kinshasa government. This agreement, spearheaded by US President Donald Trump’s newly appointed Africa adviser Massad Boulos, aims to boost private sector investment in the mining sector of DR Congo.
According to Boulos, the deal would involve the US International Development Finance Corporation underwriting American investments in the central African nation. While the companies involved in the agreement are not limited to American firms, US businesses are expected to begin investing in DR Congo’s lithium resources, challenging Chinese dominance over the country’s copper and cobalt reserves.
Several companies, including the Bill Gates-backed mining and artificial intelligence start-up KoBold Metals, are eyeing the Manono lithium deposit in DR Congo. Other potential players in the deal include US-based Orion Resource Partners, US-Canadian mining investor Robert Friedland, British-Australian miner Rio Tinto, and Saudi Arabia’s United Mining. These companies are exploring opportunities to tap into DR Congo’s rich mineral resources, including copper and cobalt assets controlled by Chemaf, a Dubai-based company backed by Singapore’s Trafigura.
The proposal from DR Congo to the US, which was first presented in February, offers mining rights in exchange for support for the government. This move comes at a time when the US is also pursuing an expanded minerals deal in Ukraine. However, the specifics of US involvement in reinforcing security in DR Congo remain unclear, considering the complex security landscape in the region.
Despite the challenges, Congolese officials are hopeful that the deal will strengthen support for President Tshisekedi as he grapples with the M23 rebellion in the eastern part of the country. Boulos, who recently visited Kinshasa for talks with regional leaders, emphasized the importance of achieving lasting peace and economic development in DR Congo.
The negotiations for the minerals deal are seen as a way to address the conflict and instability in the region, which has been exploited by armed groups for profit. The US aims to promote regional economic cooperation and development by encouraging investments in infrastructure and industrial zones that could facilitate the export of processed metals.
While the minerals deal with DR Congo is still in its early stages, it holds significant potential for reshaping the country’s mining sector and enhancing regional stability. Boulos’s upcoming meetings with key regional leaders, including Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, will be crucial in securing their support for the agreement. As the talks progress, the US is committed to promoting transparency, sovereignty, and economic growth in DR Congo.
Overall, the US-DRC minerals deal represents a strategic effort to leverage American investments for sustainable development and peace-building in the region. By collaborating with key stakeholders and addressing security challenges, the agreement has the potential to create a more stable and prosperous future for DR Congo.
