Congo has established a task force for the US minerals agreement, according to cabinet minutes

The Democratic Republic of Congo has established a task force aimed at accelerating the execution of its strategic minerals partnership with the United States, as indicated by cabinet minutes reviewed by Reuters on Tuesday. This move comes as Kinshasa aims to draw increased Western investment into its copper and cobalt industries.

The decision represents a significant advancement in Congo's initiatives to broaden its funding sources beyond China and enhance its relationship with Washington, which aims to counter China's influence over critical mineral supply chains.

Congo, recognized as the world's largest cobalt producer and the second-largest copper exporter, established a partnership with the U.S. in December.

The agreement has successfully facilitated a U.S.-supported mining investment via Virtus Minerals and enhanced copper offtake arrangements between the state-owned miner Gecamines and traders Mercuria and Glencore, thereby increasing Congolese sales to Western markets.

The September 11 cabinet decision officially establishes a "DRC-USA Task Force" aimed at expediting the implementation of the partnership, as reported by a government account of the meeting.

Economy Minister Daniel Mukoko Samba informed ministers that the body would assist in translating the commitments made under the partnership into tangible economic and security outcomes for the citizens of Congo, according to the statement. It did not specify the composition of the task force or identify the priority projects it would oversee.


A government official stated that the task force was originally scheduled to become operational in February, but its launch was postponed due to administrative challenges.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the implementation of the partnership is ongoing despite the delay.

During the same meeting, ministers sanctioned a historic budget of $24.8 billion for 2027, reflecting a 12% increase from the revised spending plan of this year. According to the statement, the government's priorities include infrastructure, security, and economic diversification.