DRC Proposes Strategic Minerals Organization to Stabilize Global Market
DRC calls for creation of OPEC-style group for strategic minerals to boost African leverage and market stability
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has called for the creation of an Organization of Strategic Minerals Producing and Exporting Countries, modeled on OPEC, to protect member interests and stabilize global markets for critical resources. The announcement was made on October 22, 2025, in Geneva.
“The DRC, a country rich in strategic minerals, is advocating for an organization similar to OPEC to defend member interests, stabilize the strategic minerals market, ensure predictable revenues, and guarantee regular global supply,” stated the DRC Ministry of Foreign Trade.
A Strategic Initiative for Africa and the DRC
If realized, this proposal could reshape global governance of natural resources amid the ongoing energy transition. The DRC, which produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt—a critical metal for electric vehicle batteries—stands to strengthen its position in the global supply chain.
Experts suggest that such an organization could harmonize mining policies, regulate prices, and ensure fair compensation for African states, giving the continent greater leverage in discussions around the green and ecological transition, despite contributing only 3% of global carbon emissions.
For the DRC, the initiative goes beyond mining revenues. By leveraging its Congo Basin rainforest, the planet’s second-largest, and its strategic resources, the country could become a central player in the global green economy, balancing responsible extraction with environmental protection.
This move represents a strategic effort by the DRC to translate its mineral wealth into sustainable development and regional influence in the emerging low-carbon economy.
