DRC to Advance Energy-Mining Alliance with U.S. at Houston Forum
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In March 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) proposed a high-stakes deal to the U.S. government: in exchange for military assistance, American companies would gain access to the DRC’s rich reserves of critical minerals, such as lithium, uranium and copper, which are essential for both economic resilience and national security. With the U.S. seeking to reduce its dependence on China, the world’s dominant refiner of these vital resources, the DRC’s offer could be a game-changer, positioning the country as a key player in the global minerals market. This deal is of particular interest to U.S. firms, as the DRC’s mineral wealth, which underpins the clean energy and defense technologies of the future, offers vast opportunities for investment.
At the U.S.-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF) in Houston, scheduled for August 6-7, 2025, the DRC is set to make a compelling case to American investors, showcasing its critical mineral reserves and highlighting its rapidly evolving energy sector. The DRC’s Minister of Hydrocarbons, Aimé Sakombi Molendo, and Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba, will participate at the event to emphasize the country’s aggressive reform agenda and its strategic approach to leveraging both energy and mining sectors for economic growth. This high-level participation underscores the DRC’s commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment, improving transparency and boosting operational efficiency across the energy, hydrocarbons and mining sectors.
In addition to producing over 70% of the world’s cobalt and more than 10% of its copper, the DRC holds significant hydrocarbon reserves, with estimates ranging from 5 to 22 billion barrels of oil. In 2024, Perenco’s subsidiary, Muanda International Company, made a historic offshore oil discovery at the Moke-East well in the Coastal Basin – the first such find in nearly three decades. This breakthrough, part of a broader exploration push, highlights the DRC’s untapped potential and signals a fresh wave of opportunities for U.S. firms looking to invest in sub-Saharan Africa.
The DRC’s strategy includes unlocking oil reserves valued at up to $650 billion through a market expansion initiative launched in 2022. This initiative is already producing tangible results, such as the award of three gas blocks on Lake Kivu to North American companies – Symbion Power, Winds Energy & Production, and Alfakiri. These projects, which include a $300 million, 60 MW gas-to-power development, represent scalable investment opportunities that further bolster the DRC’s appeal to U.S. investors.
Regional cooperation remains central to the DRC’s energy and mining development strategy. A key initiative is the Lobito Atlantic Railway – backed by the U.S. and EU – which will connect mining operations in the DRC and Zambia’s Copperbelt to Angola’s Port of Lobito. The project is set to significantly streamline mineral exports and reshape global critical mineral supply chains, reducing dependency on existing routes through southern Africa. In the oil sector, cooperation is also advancing: in October 2024, the DRC and Angola signed revised terms for the joint development of offshore Block 14, operated by Chevron. The new agreement allocates a 40% stake to Chevron and 30% each to the DRC and Angola, reflecting a more equitable partnership structure and enabling deeper cross-border energy collaboration.
The DRC’s pro-investment agenda, driven by enhanced transparency and sector reforms, aligns with U.S. priorities in sustainable energy development and resilient supply chains. As the lines between energy and mining increasingly converge, the DRC offers American companies a unique opportunity to engage across both sectors – supporting local economic development while advancing U.S. interests in securing strategic mineral supply.
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more information, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com. Join us in Houston this August to connect with the leaders shaping Africa’s energy landscape and experience the momentum that drives ECP’s events worldwide.