DRC-US partnership accelerates on critical minerals, Grand Inga and Lobito
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Actualité.cd
Illustrative image · Volker Braun · Pexels · Licence PexelsThe DRC and the United States want to accelerate projects involving critical minerals, the Grand Inga dam and the Lobito Corridor as part of their strategic partnership. The second meeting of the joint committee, held on 5 November 2026 in Paris, set actions, timelines and measurable results, according to the joint statement by the two governments.
The United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) want to accelerate the implementation of their strategic partnership by turning their diplomatic commitments into concrete economic projects, according to a joint statement issued after the second meeting of their Joint Steering Committee, held on 5 November in Paris. The two governments identified critical minerals, the Grand Inga hydroelectric dam and the Lobito Corridor as areas of cooperation.
Washington and Kinshasa want to develop secure and transparent supply chains for critical minerals, while promoting their processing and refining in the DRC, advanced manufacturing, technology transfer and vocational training. The two sides plan to mobilise US companies, financial institutions and private investors for strategic projects, according to the joint statement.
The US-Congolese strategic partnership, signed on 4 December 2025, covers peace and security, investment, infrastructure and economic growth. The 5 November meeting followed a first meeting held on 5 February 2026 and was intended to set institutional responsibilities, timelines and measurable results, according to the two governments.
The meeting follows discussions held in Paris on 6 November on investment projects between Washington and Kinshasa and work on critical minerals. The same dossier also includes the acceleration of preparatory work on Grand Inga.
