In a significant step toward boosting American investment in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining sector, the Congolese government and U.S. based company KoBold Metals have signed an agreement in principle for mining exploration.
The ceremony took place recently at the African Union City in Kinshasa, in the presence of President Félix Tshisekedi.
The agreement was signed by Kizito Pakabomba, DRC’s Minister of Mines, and Benjamin Katabuka, KoBold Metals’ Managing Director in the DRC. It marks the beginning of a strategic partnership designed to open the country’s rich mineral resources—particularly lithium—to advanced exploration and development using cutting-edge technology.
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“This agreement is part of the broader cooperation between the United States and the DRC for peace and prosperity,” said Katabuka during the signing. “We hope that this door opened by the Congolese government for American investments will lead to further U.S. involvement in the DRC.”
According to Katabuka, the agreement will be implemented across three core pillars:
- Digitisation of Geological Data – KoBold Metals plans to invest in modernising the country’s vast but underutilised geological archives.
- Technology-Driven Exploration – The company will employ artificial intelligence and other advanced methods to enhance exploration efficiency and accuracy.
- Development of the Manono Lithium Project – Located in Tanganyika Province, the lithium project is central to KoBold’s investment strategy in the DRC.
Highlighting the importance of unlocking the country’s mining potential, Katabuka noted that a wealth of geological data remains untapped. “We want to finance the digitisation of this data to make it accessible and attractive to global investors,” he said. KoBold Metals also plans to soon submit exploration permit applications covering large areas, using American technology to drive the process.
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Beyond the technical aspects, KoBold Metals emphasised its commitment to inclusive development, including hiring and training Congolese nationals, ensuring fair compensation, and contributing to local infrastructure development.
The agreement is seen as a milestone in strengthening U.S.-DRC relations and advancing responsible mining development in one of the world’s most resource-rich nations.