DRC and China Sign Police Cooperation Deal to Combat Mining Fraud and Cybercrime
DRC–China Security Agreement Targets Mining Fraud and Cybercrime Amid Resource Governance Push
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and China have signed a police cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the Congolese National Police (PNC), with a focus on combating mining fraud and cybercrime.
The agreement was concluded on May 26 in Beijing by Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani and Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong.
According to the DRC Embassy in China, the partnership will provide Chinese technical assistance in crime prevention, mining-related fraud detection, and cybersecurity enforcement. A joint working group will be established to oversee implementation.
The initiative also supports ongoing reforms to professionalise the Congolese National Police under President Félix Tshisekedi’s broader security sector reform agenda.
Mining fraud crackdown at the core
A central focus of the agreement is improving oversight of the DRC’s mining sector, which continues to face challenges including illicit extraction, weak traceability, and fraudulent mineral supply chains particularly in copper, cobalt, and gold.
These governance gaps have contributed to significant state revenue losses and have complicated efforts to formalise artisanal mining.
They have also raised concerns among international buyers increasingly focused on responsible sourcing and supply chain transparency.
In recent months, Congolese authorities have intensified enforcement actions. In December 2025, Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba suspended all artisanal copper and cobalt processing entities nationwide as part of a broader crackdown on non-compliant operations and mineral fraud.
Cybercrime cooperation expands
The agreement also strengthens cooperation in cybersecurity. The DRC has been implementing its National Cybersecurity Strategy (2022–2025), which frames cyber defence as a matter of national sovereignty amid rising digitalisation across government and industry.
The strategy highlights increasing cyber threats, vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, and the need to strengthen detection, prevention, and incident response capabilities.
While details of China’s technical assistance have not been disclosed, the agreement is expected to support Kinshasa in addressing capability gaps in cyber defence and digital security.
Authorities have not released information on timelines, funding, or safeguards governing data sharing and operational coordination.
Strategic implications
The agreement reflects a deepening of DRC–China security cooperation and aligns with Kinshasa’s broader priorities of protecting strategic mineral resources, reducing illicit trade, and strengthening digital security.
These objectives are increasingly important as the DRC remains central to global critical minerals supply chains.
SOURCE:bankable.africa
