Why the World Needs Congo for the Green Energy Future?

At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) positioned itself not just as a resource supplier but as a strategic actor shaping the future of the global energy transition. Behind the speeches and side events lies a simple reality: without Congo, the green energy transition cannot scale.

Why Congo matters to the green transition

The global shift toward electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and decarbonised infrastructure is fundamentally mineral-dependent. Cobalt, a key component in lithium-ion batteries, is essential for electric cars, grid storage, and renewable technologies. The DRC supplies around 70% of the world’s cobalt, giving it unmatched leverage in the clean-energy value chain.

As EV demand accelerates across Europe, China, and North America, securing reliable, ethical, and sustainable cobalt supplies has become a strategic priority for governments and corporations alike. This is where Congo’s message at Davos was clear: access to critical minerals must now go hand-in-hand with governance, stability, and responsible production.

Congo’s strategy at Davos 2026

Speaking at a high-level side event, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo framed the DRC as a “solution country” for the climate and energy challenges of the 21st century. Rather than focusing solely on extraction, Congolese authorities highlighted a broader economic strategy built on reform, value creation, and international partnership.

Three pillars stood out.

First, the government emphasised the need to attract responsible investment by improving stability, security, and economic predictability. For global investors wary of supply disruptions and reputational risks, Congo presented itself as a partner willing to align mineral production with international standards.

Second, Tshisekedi underscored reforms aimed at strengthening governance, transparency, and traceability in the mining sector. These measures are designed to combat corruption, reduce illicit supply chains, and reassure markets that Congolese cobalt can meet ESG and compliance requirements increasingly demanded by Western and Asian manufacturers.

Third, Congo pushed for local processing and industrialisation. Rather than exporting raw materials, Kinshasa is seeking to retain more value domestically by developing refining, battery precursors, and downstream industries, a shift that could create jobs, diversify the economy, and rebalance global supply chains.

Why this matters for the world economy

For global markets, Congo’s approach signals a significant shift in its approach. The green transition is no longer just about securing minerals at the lowest cost; it is about securing them sustainably, politically, and ethically. As supply chains tighten and geopolitical competition over critical minerals intensifies, Congo’s stability and policy choices will increasingly affect EV prices, battery availability, and climate targets worldwide.

For developed economies, engaging Congo as a strategic partner — rather than a passive supplier- is becoming an economic necessity. For the DRC, leveraging its mineral wealth through governance and value addition is central to transforming natural resources into long-term development.

A country-solution, not just a resource base

By asserting itself at Davos 2026, the DRC sent a clear signal: it intends to convert its mineral dominance into economic sovereignty and shared prosperity. Whether this strategy succeeds will depend on implementation, investor confidence, and sustained reforms. But one fact is already clear — the global green energy future runs through Congo, and the world can no longer afford to ignore how that future is shaped.