Kinshasa / Lagos / London —The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has taken a new step toward strengthening control over its vast mineral wealth by entering a strategic partnership with the Africans For Africa (AFA) Initiative, a pan-African investment platform focused on mobilising African capital for African development.
The collaboration, confirmed through a formal communication dated December 22, 2025, brings the Ministry of Mines and Africans for Africa Initiative (AFA) together around a shared objective: channeling capital from Congolese citizens at home and in the diaspora into the sustainable development of the country’s mining sector.
In his message, Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba commended the AFA Initiative for its model, which prioritises African ownership, value retention, and long-term economic impact in a sector historically dominated by external actors.
This partnership is a game-changer for wealth retention in Africa,” said Tim Tokun, Managing Director and Co-Founder of AFA.The DRC holds 30% of the world's green mineral reserves. With the Ministry’s help, we will now identify the projects that will turn the DRC into a global hub for refined battery minerals.”
A Shift Toward African Capital and State-Backed Investment
The partnership reflects a broader policy direction under the Congolese government to rebalance the mining economy, placing greater emphasis on local participation, downstream value creation, and strategic alignment with the energy transition.
Beyond minerals extraction, the initiative is designed to unlock diaspora capital, providing Congolese investors abroad with structured, state-backed pathways to invest in national development.
Suleiman Zakari, Executive Director and Co-Founder of AFA, said the agreement sends a strong signal to both the diaspora and international markets.
By having the DRC at the table, we are sending a powerful signal to the DRC diaspora and international investors: your capital is being deployed with the strategic backing of the State.”
BUSINESS & INVESTMENT
DRC Mines Ministry and AFA Partner to Mobilise Diaspora Investment
Jan 7, 2026
May 15, 2026
4 min read
Published
Updated:
Kinshasa / Lagos / London —The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has taken a new step toward strengthening control over its vast mineral wealth by entering a strategic partnership with the Africans For Africa (AFA) Initiative, a pan-African investment platform focused on mobilising African capital for African development.
The collaboration, confirmed through a formal communication dated December 22, 2025, brings the Ministry of Mines and Africans for Africa Initiative (AFA) together around a shared objective: channeling capital from Congolese citizens at home and in the diaspora into the sustainable development of the country’s mining sector.
In his message, Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba commended the AFA Initiative for its model, which prioritises African ownership, value retention, and long-term economic impact in a sector historically dominated by external actors.
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This partnership is a game-changer for wealth retention in Africa,” said Tim Tokun, Managing Director and Co-Founder of AFA.The DRC holds 30% of the world's green mineral reserves. With the Ministry’s help, we will now identify the projects that will turn the DRC into a global hub for refined battery minerals.”
A Shift Toward African Capital and State-Backed Investment
The partnership reflects a broader policy direction under the Congolese government to rebalance the mining economy, placing greater emphasis on local participation, downstream value creation, and strategic alignment with the energy transition.
Beyond minerals extraction, the initiative is designed to unlock diaspora capital, providing Congolese investors abroad with structured, state-backed pathways to invest in national development.
Suleiman Zakari, Executive Director and Co-Founder of AFA, said the agreement sends a strong signal to both the diaspora and international markets.
By having the DRC at the table, we are sending a powerful signal to the DRC diaspora and international investors: your capital is being deployed with the strategic backing of the State.”
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Focus on Copper, Cobalt, and Gold
According to both parties, the cooperation will prioritise a pipeline of strategic Copper, Cobalt, and Gold projects, sectors central to the global energy transition and electric vehicle supply chains.
A technical working session scheduled for January 2026 is expected to identify priority projects, align regulatory frameworks, and define investment structures that meet both international standards and national development goals.
For Kinshasa, the partnership also aligns with its ambition to move beyond raw exports and position the DRC as a value-added hub for critical minerals, particularly those linked to battery technology and green energy.
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Diaspora as a Strategic Development Actor
AFA positions itself as a bridge between African expertise, capital markets, and governments seeking to retain more value from their natural resources.
About Africans for Africa Initiative (AFA): The Africans for Africa Initiative is a pan-African investment vehicle designed to bridge the funding gap in the mining sector. By pooling African capital and expertise, AFA seeks to unlock the full potential of the continent’s mineral wealth for the benefit of its people.
For more information: www.afainitiative.org
Media Contact: info@afainitiative.org
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