Talks between the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over a potential “minerals-for-security” agreement could pose a challenge to China’s longstanding dominance in the Central African nation’s mining industry. However, analysts caution that significant obstacles stand in the way of any such deal.
Under the proposed arrangement, Kinshasa would offer the US access to its abundant mineral resources, in return for security guarantees, military support, and greater American investment to help reduce Congo‘s heavy reliance on China. The offer comes as violence in eastern DRC escalates, fuelled by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group capturing strategic towns.
Donald Trump’s Africa adviser, Massad Boulos, confirmed discussions with President Felix Tshisekedi during a recent visit to Kinshasa, highlighting efforts to craft a deal akin to China’s 2007 “minerals-for-infrastructure” agreement with the DRC. That deal granted Chinese firms access to critical minerals like copper and cobalt in return for infrastructure development.
Joseph Cihunda, a law lecturer at the University of Kinshasa and project officer at Southern Africa Resource Watch, said any new US-DRC deal would focus on exchanging minerals for military equipment, training, and security support. However, he noted the difficulty in balancing the interests of both parties.
Washington plans to leverage projects like the Lobito Corridor — a US-backed railway linking Angola, Zambia, and the DRC — to transport minerals and diversify supply chains, potentially loosening China’s grip. Yet, experts warn that American investors remain wary of the DRC’s unstable business environment.
Wei Shen, a research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies in the UK, pointed out that American firms have historically hesitated to invest in the DRC, and without stronger financial backing from Wall Street, convincing investors to commit would be difficult. Even if they do, Shen noted, many minerals would still be processed in China under current global arrangements.
The DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt — vital for electric vehicle batteries and electronics — and a major source of copper, gold, lithium, and tantalum. Chinese companies have dominated the sector for years, including through a $6 billion minerals-for-infrastructure deal signed in 2007, which was renegotiated last year amid Congolese complaints of unfair terms.
Chris Berry, head of US commodities advisory firm House Mountain Partners, remarked that while the Trump administration’s approach appears transactional, securing genuine American investment would still be challenging without long-term peace and stability. He suggested that the Chinese companies, experienced in operating in high-risk environments like the DRC, might not view the US initiative as a serious threat just yet.
Following the recent US envoy’s visit, Alphamin Resources, a US-based firm, announced the phased reopening of its Bisie tin mine in eastern DRC, after M23 rebel forces withdrew from the area.
Despite ongoing conflict, Cihunda said the DRC’s mining sector remains under-exploited, offering room for new investors — provided the business climate improves.
