DR Congo demands fair global governance of critical minerals at un

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has taken a bold diplomatic stance at the United Nations, challenging the global system governing critical minerals essential for the energy transition. Speaking at the High-Level Meeting on Critical Minerals in New York, Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner delivered a sharp critique of an international framework that, in her view, perpetuates inequality between resource-rich nations and industrialized consumers.

From raw material supplier to industrial leader

The Congolese diplomat argued that the current model strips African states of their rightful economic benefits by confining them to the role of mere exporters of unprocessed minerals. « The true value of critical minerals lies not in their origin, but in where that value remains—often outside the producing countries,» she declared. Kayikwamba Wagner called for a radical overhaul of the global supply chain, emphasizing the need for local processing, infrastructure development, and technological transfer to ensure African nations can harness their natural wealth.

Rwanda under scrutiny for illicit mineral trade

The minister’s speech also addressed the persistent issue of illegal mineral exploitation in eastern DRC, particularly in Rubaya—a region supplying nearly 15% of the world’s tantalum. According to UN experts, between 2024 and 2025, over 1,400 tons of coltan were smuggled into Rwanda following the M23’s takeover of the area, with revenues estimated at $800,000 monthly funding the armed group. Despite these findings, the Rwandan military has yet to face UN sanctions, exposing gaps in international mechanisms to curb resource-fueled conflicts.

A call for integrated global governance

Under DRC’s presidency of the UN Security Council, Kayikwamba Wagner proposed linking natural resource governance to peace, security, and sustainable development. She urged a unified approach where all actors—producers, traders, refiners, financial institutions, and consuming nations—share responsibility for ensuring mineral traceability. The goal: to eliminate fraud, smuggling, and armed group financing without penalizing legitimate artisanal miners.

The bigger picture: reshaping the energy transition

Beyond mining, the DRC is pushing for a fundamental shift in how the world views critical minerals. No longer content with being a passive supplier, Kinshasa aims to position itself as Africa’s industrial hub for processing strategic resources like cobalt, copper, and lithium—key components for electric vehicles, digital technologies, and renewable energy systems. The minister’s intervention underscores a broader ambition: to redefine Africa’s role in the global energy transition, ensuring equitable returns and sustainable development for the continent.