The United States is in discussions to invest billions of dollars in the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo and is also seeking to help end the ongoing conflict in the country’s east.
- The United States is discussing investing billions of dollars in the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The U.S. is also seeking to help end the ongoing conflict in Congo’s eastern regions.
- Congo is home to vast reserves of cobalt, lithium, and uranium and has been battling Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
The United States is in discussions to invest billions of dollars in the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo and is also seeking to help end the ongoing conflict in the country’s east.
Congo, home to vast reserves of cobalt, lithium, and uranium, has been battling Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who have taken control of large areas of territory this year.
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The U.S., which recently announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, stated that it is open to exploring critical minerals partnerships with Congo, Reuters reported.
This follows a proposal from a Congolese senator, who approached U.S. officials with a minerals-for-security deal.
“You have heard about a minerals agreement. We have reviewed the Congo’s proposal, and … the president and I have agreed on a path forward for its development,” U.S. senior adviser Massad Boulos said after meeting Congo President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa.
Congo’s mineral wealth draws global investors
Congo’s vast mineral wealth has drawn significant attention from countries and investors worldwide.
While its mineral sector, essential for mobile phones and electric vehicles, is currently dominated by China and its mining companies, the country is looking to diversify.
Last week, Business Insider Africa reported that Congo is seeking new mining investors from Saudi Arabia to reduce its reliance on Chinese firms.
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While it remains unclear how the U.S. will operate in Congo, senior adviser Boulos indicated that American companies would play a role.
Meanwhile, Congolese parliamentarian Joseph Bangakya, who leads the Congo-U.S. friendship parliamentary group, said that lawmakers are drafting a bill to improve the country’s business climate.
