Tshisekedi Meets EXIM Bank to Advance US–DRC Critical Minerals Partnership
DRC and US Deepen Talks on Critical Minerals, Local Processing and Strategic Infrastructure
President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi held a high-level meeting in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, with John Jovanovic, President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), as part of efforts to strengthen the strategic partnership between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United States.
The meeting was attended by Conor Coleman of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and George Kollitides from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Economic Security and Industrial Base unit.
Discussions focused on deepening cooperation in the development and security of critical minerals, a cornerstone of the growing US–DRC partnership.
Key topics included the strategic marketing of Congolese critical minerals, the expansion of local processing and industrial value chains, and opportunities for strategic storage linked to the U.S. “Project Vault” initiative.
The talks also covered major structuring projects such as the Lobito Corridor and the Inga hydropower dam, both seen as essential to improving logistics, energy supply and industrialization.
President Tshisekedi reiterated the DRC’s ambition to position itself as a reliable and responsible partner, committed to local value addition, job creation and the resilience of global supply chains.
He emphasized that cooperation with the United States is based on mutual benefit and long-term economic and social impact.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the National Prayer Breakfast attended by President Tshisekedi, marks a further step in the strengthening of bilateral relations.
It reflects a shared intention to expand collaboration in response to global economic, industrial and environmental challenges.
Analysts view the discussions as reinforcing the foundations of a durable US–DRC strategic partnership, while supporting the DRC’s broader objective of sustainable growth and economic transformation.
