Despite U.S. efforts to ease Congo-Rwanda tensions, Africa’s largest cobalt producer signs fresh mining deal with China

Even as Washington works to ease tensions between Congo and Rwanda and stabilise the region for investment, Africa’s largest cobalt producer has signed a fresh mining cooperation deal with China, reinforcing Beijing’s stronghold in the country’s critical minerals sector.

• The Democratic Republic of Congo has signed a new mining cooperation deal with China, reinforcing its strategic economic ties with Beijing despite U.S. diplomatic and investment efforts.
• The agreement includes provisions for geological data sharing, local investment protection, promoting local processing, and a compliance monitoring mechanism.
• The U.S. recently formed a strategic mineral partnership with Congo to boost American investment and access to critical resources, but faces competition from established Chinese influence.
• Congo continues to balance ties with both powers, leveraging its vast mineral reserves while expressing caution over U.S. policy consistency and seeking to maximize economic benefit from both sides.

Congo, the world’s top producer of cobalt and a major supplier of copper, lithium and coltan, has signed a fresh mining cooperation deal with China, reinforcing its central role in the global energy transition.

According to Reuters, the agreement will see both countries cooperate on geological data sharing, investment protection and the promotion of local processing of raw materials in Congo.

It also introduces a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with local laws and enhance transparency.

The deal prioritises key projects such as the MIFOR iron ore development in northeastern Congo, signalling continued Chinese backing for large-scale resource and infrastructure investments.

China’s presence in Congo’s mining sector remains deeply entrenched, with companies such as CMOC Group, Zijin Mining and Huayou Cobalt controlling major assets including the Tenke Fungurume mine, the Kisanfu project and stakes in Kolwezi copper-cobalt operations.

Beijing also stands as the country’s largest bilateral creditor.

At the same time, Congo is poised to gain from duty-free access to the Chinese market from May 1 under a wider initiative covering several African countries.

U.S. pushes back with strategic mineral deals

The development follows a strategic minerals partnership signed between Washington and Kinshasa in December 2025, aimed at redirecting supply chains and reducing reliance on China.

Earlier this year, Business Insider Africa reported that Congo plans to present the United States with a catalogue of priority mining projects for potential investment by American companies, weeks after the agreement was finalised.

The partnership grants U.S. firms preferential access to reserves of copper, cobalt, lithium and tantalum, although specific projects have not been disclosed.

Congo holds the balance

Congo’s vast mineral reserves remain central to both U.S. and Chinese industrial strategies, particularly in electric vehicles, battery production and clean energy technologies.

The United States has been advancing its position through companies such as Freeport-McMoRan and KoBold Metals, targeting investments in Congo and neighbouring Zambia as part of a broader effort to diversify global supply chains.

In addition, Washington has supported strategic infrastructure projects, including the Lobito Corridor, which connects Congo and Zambia to Angola’s Atlantic coast, facilitating more efficient mineral exports to Western markets.

Despite these efforts, Kinshasa continues to maintain strong economic ties with China, a stance that is drawing increased attention.

U.S. diplomatic engagement, including efforts to stabilise eastern Congo through a ceasefire process involving Rwanda and armed groups such as the M23, has helped improve the country’s investment climate, but has not shifted its broader alignment.

While China retains dominance in mineral processing, the United States is working to establish alternative supply routes.

However, Congo remains cautious, amid concerns over the consistency of U.S. policy and the durability of its long-term commitments.

“The U.S. will certainly take notice,” Joshua Walker of NYU’s Congo Research Group said of the new agreement. “It is clearly a riposte to Washington.”

“The DRC is clearly attempting to hedge its bets,” Walker added.