The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has presented the United States with a shortlist of state-owned mining assets, including manganese, copper-cobalt, gold and lithium projects, as part of a deepening minerals partnership aimed at reshaping global supply chains for critical resources.
Two senior Congolese officials confirmed that the list was delivered to US authorities last week, marking a concrete step in Washington’s efforts to reduce its dependence on China for minerals essential to electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
The assets on offer include projects controlled by Congolese state-owned companies and are expected to be developed through partnership agreements rather than outright sales. US investors would negotiate contracts for specific sites, while the Congolese government retains ownership of the resources.
The initiative follows a broader diplomatic push by Washington to strengthen its influence in Central Africa’s mineral sector. The DRC holds some of the world’s largest reserves of cobalt and is Africa’s top copper producer. It also possesses underdeveloped deposits of lithium and manganese, both considered critical for the global energy transition.
A Joint Steering Committee comprising Congolese and US representatives will oversee the implementation of the partnership, according to officials familiar with the discussions. The body will be tasked with coordinating investments, monitoring compliance and ensuring projects align with environmental, governance and transparency standards.
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The move comes against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical competition over access to strategic minerals. China currently dominates much of the global supply chain, particularly in cobalt processing, with Chinese firms controlling or holding stakes in many of Congo’s largest mines.
Washington has increasingly sought to counter that dominance through diplomatic, financial and security engagement. Since US President Donald Trump brokered a pact between Congo and neighbouring Rwanda to ease tensions in the mineral-rich eastern regions, US agencies have stepped up efforts to translate political agreements into long-term economic influence.
The eastern DRC has long been plagued by armed conflict, smuggling and illicit mining, factors that have complicated foreign investment and raised concerns over supply chain ethics. US officials see formalised partnerships as a way to stabilise production while promoting responsible sourcing standards.
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One of the assets under consideration is linked to Congo’s copper-cobalt belt in the south, where large-scale industrial mines such as Tenke Fungurume operate. The region is a cornerstone of global cobalt supply, a metal vital for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
Lithium has also emerged as a strategic priority. Although Congo’s lithium sector is less developed than its copper and cobalt industries, recent exploration has identified deposits that could attract significant investment as demand surges globally.
Congolese authorities say the partnership with the United States is designed to diversify the country’s investor base and reduce overreliance on a single market. “This is about balancing partnerships and ensuring Congo benefits more sustainably from its resources,” one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Critics, however, caution that foreign-backed mineral deals have historically brought limited benefits to local communities. Civil society groups continue to call for stronger safeguards to ensure revenue transparency, environmental protection and fair labour conditions.
The Congolese government says those concerns are being addressed. Officials insist that new contracts will include stricter governance requirements and local value-addition commitments, including processing and job creation within the country.
For Washington, the stakes extend beyond Congo. Securing alternative sources of critical minerals is central to US industrial policy and climate goals, particularly as global demand accelerates for electric vehicles and clean energy technologies.
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As negotiations move forward, analysts say the success of the initiative will depend on whether promised investments translate into tangible development gains for Congo, while also reshaping global mineral supply chains in an increasingly competitive geopolitical landscape.
