DRC-US Strategic Partnership Agreement

Country / jurisdiction: United States · Year: 2025 · Status: In force · Level: International · Type: Voluntary

The Strategic Partnership Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was signed on 4 December 2025, establishing a framework between the US and the DRC to strengthen bilateral cooperation on critical minerals, infrastructure and governance. It aims to promote peace, stability, and economic development in the DRC and the Great Lakes region. Key provisions relating specifically to critical minerals are as follows:

Strategic Asset Reserve (SAR): The DRC will designate an evolving list of critical mineral assets, gold assets, and exploration areas as part of the SAR. Any opportunity for an SAR Project shall be notified to the Joint Steering Committee. US persons will have a right of first offer for SAR Projects. If a US person submits a proposal for an SAR Project, the US person and the DRC will have 9 months to negotiate. If the proposal is not accepted, proposals shall be sought from "aligned persons".

DRC Designated Strategic Projects: The DRC will develop a list of priority initiatives that drive industrial transformation, local value addition, and infrastructure development. Financial support will be mobilized for DRC Designated Strategic Projects, including through international financial institutions, multilateral development banks, the private sector and US development and export credit institutions. The DRC will provide preferential access and first right of offer to U.S. persons for DRC Designated Strategic Projects.

Qualifying Strategic Projects (QSP): Any project that is not majority owned by the DRC or one its SOEs and meets certain technical criteria will be designated as a QSP.

Strategic Minerals Reserve (SMR): The DRC and the US will explore the creation of a coordinate SMR, located in the DRC, to ensure stable supply for the US, enhance local DRC value add, and promote resilience.

Sakania-Lobito Corridor: The DRC and the US will work together to promote the development of the Sakania–Lobito Corridor as a strategic route for mineral exports. Financing support will be mobilized for this project. To increase the competitiveness of the Corridor, a 5-year target has been set for the volume of mineral exports using the Corridor: 50% for copper, 90% for zinc concentrate, and 30% for cobalt.

Offtake: The DRC will provide access to offtake to US persons. To facilitate this, the DRC will provide a right of first offer on marketed minerals destined for export to US persons. In addition, the Joint Steering Committee will develop transparent offtake guidelines for SARs and QSPs to ensure alignment with U.S. supply chain and national security objectives.

Fiscal, Tax & Regulatory Framework: The DRC will establish a preferential fiscal, tax and regulatory regime for US persons investing in SAR Projects and QSPs located in specific areas (e.g., projects located in remote or post-conflict areas). The DRC will also notify the US of any changes to its cobalt export quotas or bans. In addition, the US will provide technical and governance assistance to the DRC to support long-term institutional development.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Formalisation: Avenues will be explored to support the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining, including through increased traceability, technical assistance and pilot programs.

Official source: https://www.state.gov/strategic-partnership-agreement-between-the-government-of-the-united-states-of-america-and-the-government-of-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo/