Washington, D.C., witnessed the arrival of around forty African delegations on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, to take part in a high-level summit dedicated to critical minerals, underscoring the growing geopolitical importance of these resources in global strategy.
The summit is being organized under the auspices of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with the participation of a senior Congolese delegation led by President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, who has reappeared in Washington roughly two months after signing earlier cooperation agreements with the U.S. administration.
Tshisekedi’s participation comes amid efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to strengthen the security of strategic mineral supply chains, particularly in response to China’s expanding influence in this sector. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is considered one of the world’s key players in the production of cobalt, coltan, and lithium—minerals that are essential for the energy transition and advanced technological industries.
In parallel with the summit, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is preparing, following the G7 summit held days earlier, to invite “partners from around the world” to discuss mechanisms for securing strategic resources and expanding existing partnership frameworks.
Although Washington and Kinshasa have already reached a preliminary cooperation agreement on critical minerals, several of its projects remain under negotiation. Among the most prominent is the proposed sale of the Chimaf copper and cobalt mine in the Mutoshi area of southern Congo. The mine had initially been offered to Chinese investors before the Congolese government moved to redirect the deal toward American investors.
Guinea is also participating in the summit with an official delegation, seeking closer ties with the United States and increased American investment in the bauxite, iron, and other mineral sectors, with the aim of reducing reliance on China, currently the largest investor in Guinea’s mining industry.
Kenya is likewise represented, as it looks to deepen its strategic partnership with Washington. Discussions are focusing on the Tel Merima area in southeastern Kenya, a forested region that preliminary estimates suggest contains vast reserves of rare earth elements, valued at tens of billions of dollars.