Kinshasa, June 8th, 2025 (CPA) – The DRC-USA (Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States of America) agreement on strategic minerals in exchange for security has been judged a major opportunity for strengthening economic partnership, stimulating investment and improving security in the east of the country, according to an economist from the University of Kinshasa, in an interview with the CPA on Saturday.‘The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United States have agreed to draw up an agreement on strategic minerals aimed at strengthening their economic partnership, stimulating transparent investment and improving security in the east of the DRC. The agreement also aims to promote sustainable and inclusive economic development’, said Jonathan Muya Kupa, an economist and doctoral student at the University of Kinshasa. In his view, the strength of effective international cooperation in the mining sector lies in three fundamental principles: clear and realistic objectives, a balanced mutual commitment, and solid monitoring and accountability mechanisms. Jonathan Muya pointed out that in many African countries, including the DRC, there is still a certain scepticism about international partnerships. This often stems not only from power imbalances, but also from poorly prepared agreements, unclear expectations or a lack of local ownership. Successful cooperation requires each party to know precisely what it wants, what it is offering and what it expects.
‘Under the DRC-USA agreement, success will depend on: a shared development vision and well-defined expectations; transparent governance of strategic resources; and the active involvement of national players, particularly the private sector’, he added. The economist pointed out that it is in the interests of the United States to see this agreement not just as an economic opportunity, but as an essential strategic imperative if it is to maintain its global leadership in technology, defense and innovation. ‘This ambition is reflected in the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), in which the DRC participates alongside countries such as Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, the Philippines, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Zambia’, he said.
Stabilizing security in the east of the DRC
The doctoral student went on to say that the draft agreement envisaged by the DRC would involve an exchange of security for the exploitation of strategic minerals including cobalt, copper and uranium. ‘For nearly 30 years, the east of the DRC has been plagued by chronic insecurity fuelled by greed for mining resources. Armed groups, supported by certain neighboring countries, illegally exploit these resources, making the situation even more complex’, he pointed out. Jonathan Muya added that the implementation of this highly strategic agreement for the DRC aims to create jobs, develop infrastructure and transfer skills for the benefit of the Congolese people. In an interdependent global economy, the public and private sectors must work closely together; one cannot fully succeed without the other.
Capacity-building in technological innovation
He stressed that this agreement will enable young Congolese to considerably strengthen their capacity for innovation, leadership and contribution to the development of projects in American companies. In short, the DRC-US partnership can become a pillar of lasting peace and economic renewal. To unlock its full potential, the DRC must clearly define its expectations and ensure close collaboration between the public and private sectors and international partners. ‘Ending the war and restoring national unity is not just a political objective – it is a prerequisite for inclusive development and sustainable prosperity. It is therefore everybody’s businesses, he concluded.