DRC and Saudi Arabia Advance Strategic Mining Cooperation

RIYADH — On the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum, held in Riyadh from January 13 to 15, 2026, the Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), His Excellency Louis Watum Kabamba, held high-level talks with His Excellency Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both parties to reaffirm the strategic importance of bilateral cooperation between the DRC and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the mining sector, as well as their shared commitment to strengthening and deepening this partnership.

Discussions focused in particular on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2024, with emphasis placed on developing a clear and structured timeline to translate the agreement into concrete and measurable actions.

Minister Louis Watum Kabamba stressed the importance of moving from dialogue to action, highlighting the need for tangible outcomes that support the DRC’s objectives of industrialization, local value creation, and the attraction of strategic investments in the mining sector.

The Congolese delegation included senior officials, notably the Principal Advisor to the Head of State within the College of Mines, as well as representatives from institutions operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Mines, reflecting the government’s coordinated approach to advancing mining diplomacy.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed on the swift establishment of a joint technical mechanism, tasked with defining shared priorities, clarifying responsibilities, and setting an operational roadmap for the effective implementation of the MoU.

This renewed engagement underscores the DRC’s determination to build strategic, value-driven international partnerships that support sustainable development and strengthen its position in the global minerals landscape.