President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has outlined his administration’s plans to forge a strategic partnership with the United States to develop the Congo’s vast mineral resources. Citing untapped deposits estimated to be worth $24 trillion, the president stressed the need for both extraction and on-site processing to stimulate job creation and economic growth.
“We are looking for partnerships, and we have established partnerships with many other countries,” Tshisekedi said, highlighting the global interest in the region’s natural wealth. He pointed to the influential role of the United States on the international stage, adding that the country is an important partner given its economic and political clout.
The president credited recent progress to the policies of the Trump administration, noting that “things are moving a lot faster on both sides.” This acceleration, he suggested, could pave the way for a mutually beneficial relationship, where Congo’s natural resources and U.S. investment intersect to bolster local development.
Beyond economic cooperation, Tshisekedi spoke on the importance of security in the mineral-rich region. Acknowledging the persistent instability in parts of the Congo, he proposed a dual approach: “We want a partnership that will provide lasting peace and stability for our countries.” When pressed on how U.S. companies might guarantee safety on the ground, the president stated that building defense and security capabilities, alongside leveraging American diplomatic pressure or sanctions, could help keep armed groups at bay.
The discussion underscores a broader vision for Congo—a nation seeking to transform its resource wealth into sustainable development while addressing longstanding security challenges. As talks continue, US is yet to explore avenues with Democratic Republic of the Congo that could reshape the economic landscape of the region.
While details of any forthcoming agreement remain under discussion, the president’s remarks signals a despearate strategic pivot toward deeper international collaboration with the US, while hoping it will create avenues for job creation, technological transfer, and regional stability in the country.
