The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is edging closer to a landmark agreement with the United States that could reshape its mineral economy and potentially ease tensions in the conflict-ridden eastern region.
According to a report by the Financial Times, Congolese officials are hopeful that a deal securing American investment in critical minerals — and addressing ongoing hostilities with Rwanda — will be finalized by the end of June.
The potential agreement would mark a significant shift in Congo’s international partnerships, especially as it seeks to reduce reliance on China for the exploitation of its vast mineral wealth. The DRC is rich in minerals like tungsten, tantalum, and tin — resources that are crucial to global technology and clean energy industries.
However, the eastern part of the country has long been destabilized by armed conflict, much of it fueled by competition over mineral resources. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group and illegally smuggling valuable minerals across the border, selling them through Rwandan channels. According to Congolese authorities, this black-market trade is worth tens of millions of dollars each month.
As part of a U.S.-led peace initiative, a groundbreaking plan is being discussed that would allow Congo to export these minerals legally to Rwanda for processing, under a new regulatory framework. If successful, this could bring a level of transparency and accountability to a region long plagued by illicit resource extraction.
The U.S. is not only aiming to broker peace between Congo and Rwanda but also plans to pair the diplomatic efforts with investment agreements that could inject billions of dollars in Western capital into Congo’s mining sector.
These deals would also introduce better governance and supply chain transparency in the region, which has become a growing concern for global corporations under pressure to source minerals responsibly.
Congo’s Mines Minister, Kizito Pakabomba, told the Financial Times that diversifying international partners, especially by securing U.S. backing, is vital to the country’s long-term economic stability. “We want to move away from overdependence on any single country and bring more balance into our mineral trade partnerships,” he said.
Still, several challenges lie ahead. Trust between Congo and Rwanda is low, and while both sides have expressed a willingness to engage in negotiations, key issues such as border security, rebel activity, and historical grievances could derail progress.
A U.S. State Department official confirmed to Reuters that both Congo and Rwanda are committed to finding peaceful solutions. “Respect for each country’s territorial integrity and greater transparency in the natural resource supply chains are central to the ongoing discussions,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Rwanda maintains that its defensive actions along the border are necessary as long as threats from within DRC persist. Yolande Makolo, a spokesperson for the Rwandan government, emphasized this stance in her comments to the Financial Times.
If the deal goes through, it could not only improve regional stability but also make Congo a key player in the global minerals supply chain — a move that would benefit both its economy and its people.
