U.S. Involvement in Congo’s Mineral Industry Not Viewed as Competition

At the United Nations, the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Therese Kaikwamba Wagner, expressed that increased American involvement in the nation’s mineral sector is not seen as a challenge to China. She emphasized that Kinshasa aims to engage multiple partners to transform its significant natural resources into prosperity for its citizens.

“I don’t like to talk about competition. I like to talk about subsidiarity,” she stated during an exclusive interview.

Wagner highlighted the importance of diversifying partnerships, mentioning that no country, regardless of its size, can develop solely with one partner. “They are developing with different partnerships that meet different needs and offer different expertise,” she added.

These remarks come amid the Trump administration’s efforts to enhance access to Congo’s strategic resources like copper, cobalt, lithium, and gold while aiming to diminish U.S. reliance on mineral supply chains dominated by China.

The strategic partnership between the U.S. and Congo, signed on December 4, 2025, outlines economic cooperation, increased investment, and the establishment of secure and transparent mineral supply chains. This agreement aligns with broader regional plans to integrate economies and address longstanding conflicts between Congo and Rwanda.

Wagner also noted that the relationship with the U.S. is evolving based on shared economic interests, welcoming further U.S. interest that could potentially yield “tangible changes” for Congolese people while benefiting U.S. stakeholders.

While speaking at a United Nations event, Wagner warned against allowing the global shift to clean energy to replicate existing economic models that funnel raw materials out of Africa, leaving profit and technological advancements in other nations. “The global energy transition must not become another extractive transition,” she cautioned.

She called for foreign partnerships that not only ensure a supply of raw materials but also facilitate access to local processing, infrastructure, technology transfer, and financing.

A recent agreement involving Congo’s state mining company, Gecamines, and commodity trader Mercuria could provide preferential access to U.S. buyers for copper and cobalt, with further interest from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation in gaining a strategic stake in this partnership.

Despite ongoing violence, Wagner acknowledged that the agreements to promote mineral resources are linked to U.S.-mediated peace negotiations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. She pointed out that the U.S. is committed to imposing penalties for violations that highlight the ongoing relevance of the peace process.

Wagner also addressed the rise of sexual violence in areas occupied by M23 and Rwandan forces, noting that victims often lack access to justice and healthcare. “This is also one of the reasons why we continue to mobilize against the illegal occupation of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” she stated, emphasizing the need to restore state power to safeguard rights and well-being.

Furthermore, she mentioned the Rubaya mining area, controlled by M23, which significantly contributes to the world’s tantalum supply. Wagner cited UN expert estimates that smuggling operations have generated substantial income for armed groups.

In light of these developments, the U.S. Treasury recently imposed additional sanctions on networks allegedly collaborating with M23 in mineral smuggling, signaling a commitment to promoting peace and transparency within the region’s mineral supply chains.