DRC moves toward strategic lithium framework balancing investment and local development

Kinshasa March 26, 2026 - Stakeholders in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s emerging lithium sector have called for a shared national strategy aimed at balancing foreign investment attractiveness with inclusive local development and stronger governance of natural resources. The discussions were held over two days in Kinshasa at the Hilton Hotel, bringing together government representatives, industry actors, and civil society under the facilitation of the NGO Resource Matters. The initiative aims to shape a coordinated vision for the country’s lithium industry as the DRC prepares to begin its first lithium production in 2026, positioning itself as a potential key player in the global energy transition value chain. Opening the conference, Resource Matters Country Director Jimmy Munguriek emphasized the need to avoid repeating governance challenges experienced in other extractive sectors such as copper and cobalt, calling for stronger local value creation and accountability mechanisms. Participants stressed that lithium exploitation-particularly in the Manono region and broader Tanganyika province-should be structured to maximize benefits for local communities while ensuring investor confidence. Officials from the Ministry of Mines highlighted lithium’s growing strategic importance in global markets, particularly for battery production, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage systems. They stated that the government intends to develop a regulated and traceable supply chain aligned with national and international standards. The planned framework discussions also drew comparisons with other producing countries, including Zimbabwe, which has adopted policies restricting raw lithium exports in favor of local processing. The conference sessions covered economic opportunities, governance challenges, industrialization prospects, and local development impacts. Organizers indicated that the outcome of the meetings would be used to formulate recommendations for structuring the sector. Held behind closed doors, the discussions were intended to encourage open exchange among participants and support the development of a long-term strategic roadmap for lithium exploitation in the DRC.