The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has not “sold off” its sovereign mineral wealth to the United States. This statement came from the nation’s Mining Minister, Louis Watum, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
Speaking at the African Mining Indaba conference, Watum addressed mounting concerns regarding a landmark agreement signed between Kinshasa and Washington in December. The deal was brokered alongside a peace accord intended to stabilize the conflict-prone eastern regions of the DRC.
Strategic Access vs. National Sovereignty
The agreement provides the United States with expanded access to the DRC’s vast reserves of copper, cobalt, coltan, and lithium. For Washington, the plan is a critical move to secure supply chains and counter the dominance of Beijing in the global minerals market.
However, Minister Watum was firm in rejecting the idea that Kinshasa had ceded its resources or independence during negotiations.
“The DRC has not sold off anything at all,” Watum emphasized to reporters. “This agreement creates a framework for dialogue with American companies on potential projects. Some may invest and others not.”
Strict Compliance with the Mining Code
Watum clarified that any future American investments would be required to follow the DRC’s national Mining Code strictly. This ensures that while foreign capital enters the country, the legal and economic interests of the Congolese people remain protected.
The Minister’s comments come at a time of heightened global competition. Critical minerals are now essential for several high-growth sectors:
- Artificial Intelligence: Powering massive data centers.
- Defense Technology: Essential for modern military hardware.
- Energy Transition: Driving the global shift toward electric vehicles and renewable energy.
The “Saudi Arabia of Minerals”
Despite the diplomatic buzz, the DRC’s natural wealth remains significantly underdeveloped. Watum noted that only about 10% of the country’s mineral potential has been tapped. He compared the DRC’s current trajectory to Saudi Arabia’s dominance in the oil markets during the 1980s.
DRC Mineral Profile (2024–2026):
- Cobalt Leadership: The DRC accounted for 76% of global cobalt output in 2024.
- Strategic Reserves: Holds the world’s richest deposits of coltan and lithium.
- Economic Scale: A nation of 120 million people looking to leverage resources for domestic growth.
Kinshasa’s Neutral Stance on Global Rivalry
When asked about the intensifying rivalry between the United States and China within the Congolese mining sector, Watum insisted that Kinshasa is not interested in taking sides in a “Cold War” over resources.
“We have to play our own game as DRC,” he stated. “We’re interested in domestic priorities—education and jobs for our people. There is space for everyone.”
The DRC has already submitted a list of strategic projects to Washington. These will be reviewed by a joint steering committee in the coming weeks, a process confirmed by Vice Premier Daniel Mukoko Samba during the Davos summit in January.
A Fragile Peace Accord
While the mining deal was signed alongside a peace initiative, the security situation in the eastern DRC remains precarious. Although U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the December accord as a “new era of harmony,” local conflicts have continued, and parties have yet to fulfill many of their original peace pledges.
Kinshasa remains hopeful that economic prosperity driven by these mining partnerships will eventually provide the stability needed to end the long-running violence.
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