DRC–UAE to Sign Landmark Global Economic Partnership in Abu Dhabi

BREAKING NEWS

• The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Arab Emirates are set to sign a landmark Global Economic Cooperation Agreement in Abu Dhabi on February 2, 2026, marking a major shift in Congo’s international economic strategy. Overseen by Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the deal aims to deepen trade, investment, and strategic cooperation, particularly in mining and value addition.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Arab Emirates are set to sign a historic Global Economic Cooperation Agreement on February 2, 2026, marking a major turning point in Congo’s international economic strategy.

The signing ceremony will take place at Qasr Al Watan, the UAE’s presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and DRC President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo — underscoring the political weight and strategic depth of the agreement.

A strategic partnership, not a routine deal

According to Congolese officials, the agreement is designed to transform trade flows, investment volumes, and long-term economic cooperation between the two countries. It aligns directly with Kinshasa’s national strategy of diversifying global partnerships beyond traditional allies and positioning the DRC as a central economic actor linking Africa, the Middle East, and global markets.

Unlike sector-specific accords, this partnership is framed as comprehensive, covering trade facilitation, investment protection, and strategic cooperation across key sectors.

Mining at the core of the discussions

The importance of the agreement for Congo’s resource economy is highlighted by the presence of Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba within the high-level presidential delegation.

Officials say mining cooperation — particularly investment in extraction, local value addition, and downstream processing — is a central pillar of the talks. This reflects the DRC’s push to move beyond raw exports and secure partnerships that support industrialisation, job creation, and greater national value capture from its vast mineral wealth.

Why this matters now

The timing of the agreement is significant. Congo is actively repositioning itself on the global stage as:

• a critical supplier of strategic minerals,

• a destination for large-scale, responsible investment, and

• a state seeking balanced, sovereign partnerships rather than dependency-based arrangements.

For the UAE, the partnership strengthens its economic footprint in Central Africa and secures access to long-term opportunities in minerals, infrastructure, and logistics — sectors central to its global investment strategy.

A signal to global markets

By elevating the signing to a head-of-state ceremony, both governments are sending a clear signal: this is not symbolic diplomacy, but a structural economic alignment. For investors and international partners, the agreement reinforces Congo’s trajectory toward diversified alliances and proactive economic diplomacy.

Further details of the agreement’s scope and implementation mechanisms are expected to be released following the signing ceremony.

Abu Dhabi | February 2, 2026

Global Economic Cooperation | Strategic Investment | Mining & Value Addition