The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a $6.2 billion infrastructure-for-minerals deal with China in February 2024, a transaction that underscores the growing imbalance in the global supply chain for critical minerals, according to reports from openDemocracy and ESI-Africa.com.
The agreement, facilitated by Sicomines, a joint venture between Chinese companies and the DRC’s state-owned enterprise Gecamines, will spot Chinese firms invest in Congolese infrastructure – roads, railways, and schools – in exchange for access to cobalt, copper, and other minerals essential for the production of electric vehicle batteries and other clean technologies. While the DRC possesses an estimated $24 trillion in untapped mineral deposits, the economic benefits of this extraction are not equitably distributed, raising concerns about a potential resource curse.
Cobalt, a key component in lithium-ion batteries, is overwhelmingly sourced from the DRC, accounting for roughly 70% of global supply. Despite this dominance, the country receives a disproportionately small share of the value generated by the clean tech boom. ESI-Africa.com reports that Africa as a whole is “missing its share” in the economic gains from its critical mineral wealth.
China’s strategic position in the critical minerals supply chain is substantial. According to Elements by Visual Capitalist, China controls a significant portion of the processing and refining of many critical minerals, including rare earth elements, cobalt, and graphite. This control extends beyond raw material extraction to include the manufacturing of batteries and other components, giving China considerable leverage in the global clean energy transition.
The DRC’s deal with China is part of a broader trend of resource-backed loans and infrastructure investments by China in Africa. These agreements often involve Chinese companies undertaking infrastructure projects in exchange for mineral concessions. While proponents argue that these deals provide much-needed investment in African infrastructure, critics contend that they can lead to debt dependency and the exploitation of natural resources.
Context News reports that the debate centers on whether Africa’s critical minerals will drive economic growth or perpetuate a cycle of resource extraction and limited local benefit. The lack of domestic processing capacity in many African countries means that most minerals are exported as raw materials, capturing only a small fraction of the overall value chain.
The infrastructure projects outlined in the DRC-China deal are intended to improve transportation networks and facilitate mineral extraction. However, concerns remain about the environmental and social impacts of mining operations, including deforestation, water pollution, and displacement of local communities. The long-term sustainability of these projects, and the equitable distribution of benefits, remain uncertain.
As of February 2026, Gecamines has not publicly released a comprehensive assessment of the socio-economic impact of the Sicomines agreement, and the DRC government has not announced plans for increased domestic mineral processing capacity. Negotiations continue between the DRC and international partners regarding potential investments in refining and value-added processing facilities.
