The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United States are strengthening their strategic partnership, nearly a year after signing the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA). The second meeting of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) in Paris on November 5, 2026, marked a significant step in transforming their political commitments into concrete economic and security projects. This meeting follows the agreement concluded on December 4, 2025, and the first JSC meeting held on February 5, 2026.
The partnership focuses on the mining sector, where the DRC plays a crucial role in the global transition to renewable energy and securing supply chains. The US seeks reliable and diversified sources of critical minerals, while the DRC aims to increase the value of its natural resources and shift from an extraction-based economy. The discussions in Paris emphasized the need for transparent and secure supply chains, encouraging local transformation, refining, industrial manufacturing, technology transfer, and job creation.
The two governments plan to mobilize American companies, financial institutions, and private investors around structuring projects in the DRC. However, this openness to foreign capital must be accompanied by requirements for governance, transparency, environmental protection, and social responsibility. The DRC also aims to ensure that Congolese companies and workers effectively participate in this dynamic. Another instrument mentioned during the exchanges is the Strategic Asset Reserve (SAR), which should facilitate the identification of eligible assets and the mobilization of qualified American investors.
Infrastructure development is another pillar of this cooperation, with two emblematic dossiers: the Sakania-Lobito corridor and the Grand Inga hydroelectric project. For the DRC, the challenge is to transform its geographical position and energy potential into concrete economic benefits. The development of transport and energy infrastructure should facilitate regional exchanges, support industrialization, and strengthen the competitiveness of the national economy.
The Grand Inga project is considered one of the largest hydroelectric potentials in the world and could contribute to meeting the energy needs of the DRC and several countries on the continent. The two governments welcomed the inaugural meeting of the project's coordination and governance committee, held on October 26, 2026. They now aim to accelerate the technical, financial, institutional, legal, and regulatory work necessary for its concretization, including the mobilization of public and private financing.
The situation in eastern DRC and persistent tensions in the Great Lakes region were also significant discussion points. Stability in the region is a condition essential to the success of the partnership. The two parties reiterated their commitment to the full, verifiable, and sustainable implementation of the Washington peace agreements and insisted on respect for the DRC's sovereignty and territorial integrity, protection of civilians, and the creation of favorable conditions for the safe and voluntary return of displaced persons.
The partnership between the DRC and the US aims to create a framework for cooperation that promotes shared prosperity and strengthens bilateral relations. The two governments have reaffirmed their ambition to build a partnership focused on results, shared prosperity, and the consolidation of bilateral relations. They have also emphasized the importance of coordinating institutions, defining responsibilities, and monitoring projects to ensure the effective implementation of their commitments.
Key points
- The DRC and US are focusing on developing transparent and secure supply chains for critical minerals, encouraging local transformation and job creation.
- The Grand Inga hydroelectric project is a key component of the partnership, with the potential to meet the energy needs of the DRC and several countries on the continent.
- Stability in the Great Lakes region is a crucial condition for the success of the partnership, with the two parties reiterating their commitment to the implementation of peace agreements and respect for the DRC's sovereignty.
