U.S. and Democratic Republic of Congo Review Critical Minerals Partnership in Paris
The United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) held their second joint steering committee meeting in Paris on November 5. This committee coordinates a strategic partnership focused on critical minerals, infrastructure, and security. Key discussions included the Lobito railway corridor, which connects the DRC's copper belt to the Atlantic port of Lobito in Angola, and the Grand Inga hydropower complex. The parties also addressed the development of raw material processing within the DRC and the establishment of a strategic asset reserve, which would grant U.S. companies priority access to a list of Congolese assets. The partnership, initiated with an agreement signed on December 4, 2025, aims to enhance cooperation in these vital sectors. The U.S. Development Finance Corporation provided updates on potential investments in the DRC, though specific amounts were not disclosed. The joint statement emphasized the importance of peace and security in eastern DRC for the successful implementation of t...
