The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a $6.2 billion infrastructure deal with China in February 2026, contingent on the DRC providing access to its vast reserves of cobalt, a critical mineral used in electric vehicle batteries. The agreement, mirroring similar arrangements across the African continent, underscores a growing pattern: Africa provides the raw materials powering the global clean energy transition, even as reaping limited economic benefits.
Cobalt, alongside lithium, nickel, and manganese, are essential components in the batteries driving the shift away from fossil fuels. The DRC holds over 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves, making it a pivotal player in the global energy landscape. Yet, the economic gains from this resource wealth are not flowing to the Congolese people, according to analyses of the sector. Instead, much of the value is captured by companies based in China, Europe, and North America.
This dynamic is not unique to cobalt. Across Africa, nations rich in critical minerals are facing a similar predicament. A recent report by Context News highlighted the potential for an “economic boom or resource curse” as demand for these minerals surges. The report points to a historical pattern of exploitation, where resource-rich African nations have seen limited development despite abundant natural wealth.
China currently dominates the processing and refining of many critical minerals, including cobalt. According to Elements by Visual Capitalist, China controls a significant portion of the global supply chain for these materials, giving it considerable leverage in the clean tech industry. This control extends beyond processing; Chinese companies are heavily invested in mining operations in Africa, often through state-backed enterprises. The DRC-China deal exemplifies this trend, with Chinese firms securing access to mineral resources in exchange for infrastructure development.
The situation raises concerns about a new form of colonialism, where control over critical minerals allows external powers to exert economic and political influence. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies notes that Africa’s critical minerals are at a “critical juncture,” facing pressures from global demand, geopolitical competition, and internal governance challenges. The organization warns that without careful management and strategic investment, the mineral boom could exacerbate existing inequalities, and instability.
The openDemocracy report details the “hidden cost” of the US minerals strategy, which aims to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains. While the US seeks to diversify its sources of critical minerals, the report argues that this strategy often relies on replicating the same exploitative patterns in Africa, with limited benefits for local communities. The focus on securing access to minerals often overshadows concerns about environmental sustainability and human rights.
ESI-Africa.com reported on the “missing share” for Africa in the clean tech boom, noting that despite providing the raw materials, African nations lack the capacity to process and manufacture these minerals into finished products. This lack of value addition means that the majority of the economic benefits accrue to countries with advanced manufacturing capabilities. Efforts to develop local processing capacity are hampered by a lack of investment, infrastructure, and technical expertise.
As of February 23, 2026, the African Union has not issued a formal statement regarding the DRC-China deal, nor has it announced a continent-wide strategy to maximize the benefits from its critical mineral wealth. Negotiations continue between the DRC government and Chinese representatives regarding the specifics of the infrastructure projects and mineral extraction quotas.
