The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has entered a partnership with the U.S. based Kobold Metals to unlock the country’s vast lithium reserves and accelerate economic growth.

This new deal aims to modernize Congo’s mineral exploration sector, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence to pinpoint mineral deposits, with a focus on lithium critical for the global transition to clean energy.

The agreement was signed in Kinshasa at the Cité de l’Union Africaine in the presence of President Félix Tshisekedi, marking a significant step in the nation’s strategy to boost its mining sector and foster broader economic development.

Congolese Minister of Mines Kizito Pakabomba and Kobold Metals’ DRC Director Benjamin Katabuka were the signatories, with the collaboration set to focus on exploration activities in Manono, located in Tanganyika Province, a region believed to hold substantial lithium deposits.

“This partnership is a signal of investor confidence and a milestone in our vision for sustainable mineral development. We are committed to investing in infrastructure, hiring locally, and building skills among Congolese youth,” Director Benjamin stated.

Kobold Metals, backed by U.S. venture capital firms associated with prominent tech billionaires like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, is known for using advanced geospatial and AI technologies to identify untapped mineral deposits globally.

In Congo, the firm will help fund the digital mapping of the country’s vast geological assets, making vital data more accessible to both local and international investors.

This collaboration is in line with Congo’s broader efforts to attract value-added investments in its rich mineral sector, which remains one of the largest untapped resources on the African continent.