Lithium in the DRC: Final roundtable report
The Democratic Republic of Congo enters a decisive phase of its mining development with the emergence of lithium, now at the heart of the global energy transition. As the international demand accelerates, and given that the country possesses strong potential to become a major player, structural flaws observed in the copper and cobalt sectors must be corrected: corruption, weak compliance with legal frameworks, marginalization of local populations, and insufficient economic benefits.
Against this backdrop, on March 25th and 26th, 2026, Resource Matters organized a roundtable in Kinshasa dedicated to the governance of lithium. It brought together public authorities, international partners, civil society, and communities from Manono. Private companies, though invited, were absent. The objective was to define a coordinated strategy integrating economic, social, environmental, and governance dimensions.
The discussions, conducted under Chatham House rules, produced consensus: make lithium a lever for sustainable development. This requires strengthening governance and transparency, imposing clear requirements for local processing and industrialization, and positioning the DRC strategically in a competitive geopolitical context. The report presents the outcomes of the roundtable, including identified challenges and recommendations for public decision-makers, investors, and partners.
The report is only available in french.