DRC Commits to Leveraging Natural Resources for Peace and Development

Cape Town, February 23, 2026 - Cape Town, South Africa, February 10, 2026 - At Mining Indaba 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reaffirmed its commitment to using its natural resources to promote peace, stability, and prosperity for its people.

During the “DRC Breakfast” conference, held under the theme “Global Value Chains: The Economic Case for Upstream and Downstream Investments in the DRC”, Minister of Mines Louis Watum presented the government’s vision to position the DRC as a major industrial player in the global energy transition.

Watum emphasized the shift from a reliance on raw material exports toward a model focused on:

Local value creation

Development of battery value chains

Industrialization of critical minerals

Integration of artisanal mining within a formal, structured, and sustainable framework

He also highlighted key government priorities, including strengthening legal security, alignment with international ESG standards, improved governance, and a strengthened fight against fraud and illicit activities. The goal is to offer investors a predictable, transparent, and competitive environment.

The DRC aims to become a major mining transformation hub and a strategic partner in global value chains, benefiting investors, local communities, and the nation.

The event brought together parliamentarians, diplomats, investors, and mining sector partners, along with the Minister of Mines, to discuss the country’s path toward sustainable industrial growth.