The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has agreed to a major mining deal with US-based KoBold Metals, a tech-driven exploration company supported by Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. The agreement, signed in Kinshasa with President Félix Tshisekedi present, will see KoBold invest over $1 billion to tap into the DRC’s vast critical mineral reserves, starting with the world-class Manono lithium deposit. Lithium’s role in clean energy tech makes the venture strategically vital. The deal also includes digitizing the DRC’s geological archives and exploring over 1,600 square kilometers of terrain to identify critical mineral deposits. However, while Congolese officials celebrate the investment, concerns have emerged about whether this new partnership will break with the nation’s troubled legacy of foreign exploitation and deliver real value to its people.
Africa News
