In a groundbreaking development that could reshape the mineral supply chain in region, upcoming bilateral agreements between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRCongo) are expected to include a provision for DRC’s mineral resources to be processed in Rwanda before being exported to global markets.
The agreement, which is being brokered with support from the United States, aims to boost transparency, quality, and value addition in the mineral sector. According to reliable sources, the accords will be signed in Washington, D.C., and are part of a broader U.S.-led peace and economic cooperation initiative in the region.
The DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt and holds vast deposits of coltan, tungsten, and zinc. However, the country has long exported raw, unprocessed minerals, limiting its economic gains. Rwanda, on the other hand, has developed a growing reputation for efficient and legal mineral processing, with companies like Power Resources International and Piran Rwanda leading the charge in processing coltan and tin.
By refining DRC’s minerals domestically, Rwanda is poised to become a regional hub for mineral certification, traceability, and high-standard exportation, attracting interest from American and European tech companies looking to secure conflict-free supply chains for their electronics and EV batteries.
The new deal will also emphasize the use of digital traceability tools to monitor the origin and movement of minerals from extraction in the DRC to processing in Rwanda and ultimately to global markets. This technology is expected to help combat illicit mineral trade and reduce funding to armed groups operating in the region.
Analysts say this shift could stimulate economic growth in both nations, particularly for Rwanda, whose mining sector already contributes significantly to GDP. It may also help ease geopolitical tensions between the two neighbors, which have long been strained over conflict minerals and armed group activity in eastern DRC.
The agreement represents a strategic economic and diplomatic win for Rwanda, reinforcing its position as a stable, transparent partner in the global mineral trade.
