Kinshasa, November 8th, 2026 (CPA).- The governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the United States of America (USA) have reaffirmed their shared interest in developing critical minerals supply chains in order to promote the local processing of minerals, during a meeting of the joint steering committee between the two countries, according to a statement consulted by CPA on Saturday.
“The DRC and the USA have reaffirmed their shared interest in developing secure, transparent, resilient and diversified critical minerals supply chains in order to promote the local processing of minerals,” according to a statement from the Ministry of National Economy. According to the source, both parties stressed the importance of effective coordination among the relevant ministries, government departments, agencies and technical institutions of the two governments, supported by a regular monitoring and evaluation mechanism. “The Parties examined ways of encouraging responsible investments by eligible American companies, financial institutions, development finance institutions and other private-sector partners in projects that contribute to value addition and the sustainable transformation of the Congolese economy,” the document reported.
They emphasized the importance of high standards of transparency, good governance, environmental protection and social responsibility, as well as genuine opportunities for Congolese companies and workers to participate.
Strategic infrastructure, regional connectivity and Grand Inga
Furthermore, the two governments acknowledged the essential role of strategic infrastructure and regional connectivity in unlocking the DRC’s economic potential and strengthening trade and investment in the region, particularly through the Sakania-Lobito Corridor. They welcomed the holding, on October 26th, 2026, of the inaugural meeting of the Grand Inga Project Coordination and Governance Committee and exchanged views on the progress of the project under Article X of the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA). “The Parties underscored the need to advance the technical, financial, institutional, legal and regulatory work required to prepare the project, including the mobilization of public and private financing, as well as consultations with development finance institutions and multilateral development banks,” the statement indicated. The two governments acknowledged that Grand Inga could serve as a major platform for reliable electricity generation, industrialization, mineral processing, agro-industry, regional energy integration and, more broadly, economic development. Following the meeting of February 5th, 2026 and the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) signed on December 4th, 2025, the two governments reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a pragmatic, results-oriented partnership based on peace and security, economic growth, responsible investment, infrastructure development and shared prosperity. CPA/