On Thursday, June 12 at 9:30 a.m. ET, the Africa Center is convening experts to look beyond critical minerals in evaluating opportunities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Although the mining sector is undoubtedly key, the DRC hosts several untapped opportunities, from agriculture to financial services and from infrastructure projects to hydropower. With them, the DRC has a chance to build roads, power grids, and infrastructure that will sustain a democratic country and economic growth in the years ahead.

This event will unveil the findings of a new publication, “Beyond critical minerals: Capitalizing on the DRC’s vast opportunities,” and will outline the multitude of opportunities offered by the DRC’s business environment, industry, and other promising sectors throughout the country.

Join this conversation to hear from several of the report’s authors about the vast opportunities of the DRC.

The Africa Center has a dedicated workstream on the DRC that focuses on highlighting unique opportunities—for investment, partnership, engagement, and more—in the country, as well as a Critical Minerals Task Force that serves as a leading platform for research and discussion on the burgeoning critical mineral sector in Africa.

Speakers

Calixte Ahokpossi
Mission Chief, Democratic Republic of the Congo
International Monetary Fund

Nicole Namwezi Batumike
Gender and Responsible Sourcing Specialist
Panzi Foundation

Mvemba Phezo Dizolele
Senior Associate, Africa Program
Center for Strategic and International Studies

Dave Peterson
Former Senior Director, Africa Program
National Endowment For Democracy

Moderated by

Carol Van Dam Falk
English to Africa Division
Voice of America

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A view shows buildings behind a street of the Gombe area, ahead of the announcement of provisional results of the December presidential election, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo December 30, 2023.

Issue Brief

May 23, 2025

Beyond critical minerals: Capitalizing on the DRC’s vast opportunities

By Dave Peterson, Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Rabah Areki, Thomas De Dreux-Brézé, Nicole Namwezi Batumike, and Calixte Ahokpossi

As major powers contend for access to Kinshasa’s mineral wealth and Washington seeks to broker a peace deal with Rwanda, the DRC and its partners have a chance to aim high, and channel the country’s resource wealth into good governance, infrastructure, and more.

Democratic Republic of the Congo Economy & Business

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The Africa Center works to promote dynamic geopolitical partnerships with African states and to redirect US and European policy priorities toward strengthening security and bolstering economic growth and prosperity on the continent.

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