DR Congo Offers State-Owned Manganese, Copper-Cobalt and Lithium Assets to U.S. Investors

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has stepped up efforts to attract American investment, presenting United States officials with a shortlist of state-owned mining assets as part of a proposed minerals partnership, according to two senior Congolese officials.

The assets under consideration include deposits of manganese, copper-cobalt, gold, and lithium, all of which are critical to global energy transition and manufacturing supply chains. 

The list was formally submitted to U.S. authorities last week, marking what officials describe as the most concrete step so far in translating diplomatic engagement into U.S. participation in Congo’s strategic minerals sector.

The move follows a recent peace agreement aimed at easing tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, brokered with the involvement of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. 

The accord has been viewed by Washington as a pathway to stabilising eastern Congo and creating conditions more favourable for long-term investment.

U.S. agencies have in recent months intensified efforts to secure access to critical minerals as part of a broader strategy to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on China. This push was reinforced by the signing of a minerals marketing partnership between the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and state-owned mining company Gécamines, which also supports the $553 million Lobito Corridor upgrade – a key infrastructure project linking mineral-rich regions to Atlantic ports.

According to the Congolese officials, the shortlist of assets underwent several rounds of internal review before being shared with Washington, reflecting Kinshasa’s most direct offer yet for U.S. investors to evaluate participation in state-owned mining operations. 

The officials requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing discussions.

The United States’ renewed interest comes amid growing concern over China’s dominance in global mineral markets. China is currently the world’s largest consumer of commodities and holds a commanding position in the processing of key resources such as copper, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, refining between 47% and 87% of strategic minerals, according to data from the International Energy Agency.

Analysts say the DRC’s outreach underscores its strategic importance in the global competition for critical minerals, particularly as Western governments seek to secure alternative sources for materials essential to clean energy technologies and defence industries.