Erik Prince Tapped to Help DRC Curb Mineral Smuggling and Boost Revenue Amid Conflict
Prominent Trump ally and founder of Blackwater, Erik Prince, has reached an agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to assist the government in securing and properly taxing its mineral wealth.
This deal, which predates the recent M23 rebel offensive, is part of a broader effort to increase state revenues in a sector plagued by smuggling, corruption, and armed conflict.
The agreement was made with Congo’s Ministry of Finance, according to two sources close to Prince, a Congolese government official, and two diplomats.
Prince’s team is expected to focus on strengthening tax collection and curbing the illegal export of minerals rather than deploying private security contractors in active conflict zones.
This move comes as Kinshasa pursues a broader critical minerals partnership with the United States. While discussions for a minerals-for-security deal began under former U.S.
President Donald Trump, the Biden administration has not confirmed how, or if, the U.S. would contribute to security support in Congo. Analysts say Prince’s involvement could serve as a parallel or interim measure.
According to the sources, the initial phase of the partnership will target the copper-rich Katanga region in southern DRC—far from the conflict-ridden east now partly controlled by M23 rebels.
The focus will be on mining hubs like Kolwezi, near the Zambian border, where government officials estimate the country loses as much as $40 million in revenue each month due to smuggling and tax evasion.
A diplomatic source confirmed that Prince’s team would work with a firm specializing in commodity testing and inspection to help monitor production from large mines and improve revenue tracking.
While an agreement in principle has reportedly been signed, the exact number and deployment sites of Prince’s advisers are still under discussion, according to a source in President Félix Tshisekedi’s office.
Erik Prince has long-standing experience working in Africa, primarily providing logistical support to oil and mining companies operating in remote areas. His firms have been active in Congo since 2015, including in the trucking and mineral sectors. Previous talks in 2023 included proposals to send contractors to eastern Congo, though they did not lead to a finalized agreement.
Prince’s latest effort comes amid intensifying regional conflict. The M23 rebellion, allegedly supported by Rwanda, has captured key eastern cities, disrupting mining operations and exacerbating insecurity.
The United Nations and independent watchdogs like Global Witness have long accused Rwanda of illegally exploiting Congolese minerals—a claim Rwanda denies.
One source close to Prince said the mission aims to bring greater transparency to Congo’s mineral extraction industries and ensure that revenues are properly distributed in line with the Congolese mining code.
Despite the political sensitivities and ongoing violence, the government appears determined to press forward with efforts to regain control over its mineral wealth. Prince, who declined to comment, is expected to play a central role in this initiative.
