The United States has expressed interest in forming partnerships with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to explore opportunities in the mining of critical minerals.
This follows a proposal from a Congolese senator who reached out to US officials, suggesting a possible deal involving minerals in exchange for support in securing the region.
Congo, which holds vast reserves of cobalt, lithium, and uranium, has been dealing with instability caused by the M23 rebels, who have taken control of parts of its territory this year.
Discussions around the potential partnership have been ongoing in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, for several weeks.
The US Department of State confirmed its openness to collaborating with Congo, especially in sectors that align with its broader economic agenda.
The US has been encouraging its private sector to invest in Congo’s mining industry, with an emphasis on transparency and responsible resource management.
Although the Congolese government has not presented a detailed proposal, officials have expressed a clear desire to broaden their network of partners.
The government spokesperson noted that discussions with the US have been frequent, and there is room for American investors in Congo’s mineral-rich regions.
Andre Wameso, a senior advisor to President Felix Tshisekedi, recently visited Washington to discuss potential collaboration.
Additionally, a lobbyist representing a Congolese senator sent letters to US officials offering Congo’s mineral wealth in exchange for support in ensuring regional stability.
However, this proposal has not been formally approved by the Congolese government.
Meanwhile, the US has been engaged in other discussions regarding mineral deals, including with Ukraine.
Experts suggest that if Congo wants to make this partnership work, it will likely need to find creative ways to engage US investors, as there are no American state-owned companies in Congo’s mining sector. Currently, China’s companies dominate Congo’s mineral supply chains.