DRC Moves to Fast-Track US Minerals Deal as Western Investment Interest Grows
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has established a task force to accelerate implementation of its strategic minerals partnership with the United States as Kinshasa seeks to attract more Western investment into its copper and cobalt sectors.
The decision was approved by the Cabinet on September 11 and formally establishes the “DRC-USA Task Force” to coordinate and accelerate the execution of commitments under the partnership.
Economy Minister Daniel Mukoko Samba said the task force would help translate the partnership’s commitments into concrete economic and security outcomes for the Congolese population.
The government has not yet disclosed the composition of the task force or the specific projects it will oversee. Its launch had initially been planned for February but was delayed by administrative challenges, although implementation of the wider partnership continued.
The DRC and the United States signed the strategic minerals partnership in December as Kinshasa seeks to diversify sources of investment and reduce its reliance on China while Washington works to strengthen Western critical-minerals supply chains.
The partnership has already supported a U.S.-backed mining investment through Virtus Minerals and expanded copper offtake arrangements between state-owned Gécamines and commodities traders Mercuria and Glencore, increasing access to Western markets.
The task force comes as the DRC seeks to attract additional capital into its copper and cobalt industries and strengthen its position in global critical-minerals supply chains.
The Cabinet also approved a record US$24.8 billion budget for 2027, representing a 12% increase from the revised 2026 spending plan, with infrastructure, security and economic diversification identified among the government’s priorities.
About the Author
