DRC and EU Forge Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Mineral Value Chains
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the European Union (EU) have formalized a strategic partnership roadmap to enhance the value chains of critical and strategic minerals extracted in the DRC.
This milestone agreement, signed on December 11, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium, by DRC Minister of Mines Kizito Pakabomba and EU representatives, seeks to transform Congolese mineral resources into global opportunities.
The agreement is structured around five main pillars:
- Sustainable Value Chains: Emphasis on fostering joint investments and innovations to create sustainable mining operations.
- Local Infrastructure: Prioritizing local mineral processing to maximize added value and economic benefits.
- Governance and Transparency: Strengthening resource management and combating fraud to ensure responsible exploitation.
- Scientific and Technological Cooperation: Promoting knowledge-sharing initiatives and training programs to advance technological capabilities.
- Local Capacity Building: Creating qualified jobs and enhancing local skills to support long-term sector growth.
“This partnership heralds a new era for the Congolese mining sector, positioning our country as a vital supplier of critical minerals essential for the global energy transition,” Minister Pakabomba stated during the December 27, 2024, Council of Ministers meeting.
The implementation of projects under this partnership will be coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office in collaboration with key ministries, including Mines, Infrastructure, Water Resources and Electricity, Industry, National Economy, and Foreign Trade.
The roadmap aligns with the EU’s “Global Gateway” strategy, aiming to strengthen the DRC’s economy and its global strategic significance while supporting the energy transition.
Despite the roadmap’s promising goals, the DRC faces significant challenges. Many strategic and critical minerals are often extracted under inhumane conditions, perpetuating insecurity in eastern regions of the country.
The exploitation of these resources is frequently linked to multinational corporations and the complicity of regional states, including Rwanda.
In early 2024, the Congolese government accused American tech giant Apple of complicity in illegal and unethical mineral extraction practices.
A lawsuit was filed in December 2024 in Paris and Brussels by an international team of lawyers representing the DRC, targeting Apple for its alleged role in sourcing minerals under exploitative conditions for iPhones and computers.
This partnership between the DRC and the EU marks a significant step toward responsible and sustainable management of the country’s vast mineral wealth, aiming to balance economic growth with ethical practices and global energy demands.
