DR Congo and US seek local processing of critical minerals
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Desk Eco
Illustrative image · Volker Braun · Pexels · Licence PexelsDR Congo and the United States want to develop critical mineral supply chains, with more local processing, refining, technology and jobs in DR Congo. The two countries also examined responsible private investment in these projects at their 5 November meeting in Paris, according to the Joint Steering Committee statement.
The United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo examined ways to attract American and private investment in projects to sustainably transform the Congolese economy, during the second meeting of the Joint Steering Committee held on 5 November 2026 in Paris. The two countries notably focused on local processing, refining, advanced manufacturing, technology transfer and skills development, according to the Joint Steering Committee Declaration.
The two sides also called for investments that meet high standards of transparency, good governance, environmental protection and social responsibility. They called for Congolese companies and workers to have genuine opportunities to participate in the projects, according to the same declaration.
The meeting follows the one held on 5 February 2026 and is part of the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by the two countries on 4 December 2025. It also follows DR Congo's defence of local mineral processing in Lusaka on 21 October and the review of investment projects in Paris on 6 November.
