Unearthing Power: Will the DRC Break Free of the “Resource Curse?”

The largest francophone country in the world isn’t France; it’s Congo-Kinshasa. Africa’s largest river by volume isn’t the Nile; it’s the Congo. Though it rarely features in global conversations, its cobalt keeps their phones alive. For centuries, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been exploited, with its minerals set to catalyze the energy transition of tomorrow, replacing rubber and diamonds as the preferred commodity.

With $24 trillion in mineral deposits, yet one of the lowest Human Development Index scores for health, education, and living standards, the DRC has been trapped in a cycle of economic stagnation and political instability. Thus, the DR Congo falls under the “resource curse,” whereby it fails to fully profit from its natural wealth and respond effectively to welfare needs. Disparate powers, including China, militant groups, and a small elite, currently prevent the development of a strong state, exploiting Congo-Kinshasa’s instability to profit from mineral trade and production.

As the world looks to pivot away from oil and towards more sustainable energy sources, the fate of the DRC depends on its ability to overcome historical challenges and join this global shift.

With demand for minerals critical to the energy transition predicted to triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040, considerable attention is being given to the countries where these rare and precious resources are found.

Some signs indicate that the DRC is taking concrete steps to reclaim the wealth and power needed to invest in the infrastructure of a growing, democratic nation. As of October 2025, a quota-based system has been implemented to stabilize cobalt prices and designate some of the extractions for domestic projects. The DRC is the largest cobalt producer, and now economies heavily invested in EV batteries, renewable energy, and manufacturing must adapt to Congolese rules.

In implementing export controls, the DR Congo is creating opportunities for economic returns and inclusivity that were previously unthinkable. The Ministry of Mines has made strategic updates to mining codes, situating the DRC as a sustainable and ethical partner for energy and technology companies. This new positioning anticipates long-term investments spurred by increased confidence in the human rights considerations. However, some detractors still feel that corruption and conflict in mineral trading weaken the effectiveness of substituting previous bans for controls.

Entrenched corruption permeates most aspects of the mineral trade. The presence of violent militia groups scares away investments and creates traceability problems with the extracts. Governmental mismanagement is another large obstacle to evolution, as officials in customs and state-run companies pilfer funds that should be reinvested in infrastructure. Security has also been a concern, as the M23 paramilitary group, supported by Rwanda, has violently occupied parts of eastern DRC for a mix of cultural and economic reasons.

To establish itself as a powerful force in the energy transition, Congo-Kinshasa must approach its mineral wealth as geopolitical leverage. By framing access to its resources as a counterweight to China’s influence, Congo can attract stronger Western investment and build strategic partnerships with developed-world organizations. This approach is already working. President Tshisekedi secured U.S. support for peace and stability by linking it to access to resources. The peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda (“Washington Accord”) is just one avenue the DR Congo can pursue to leverage its role in other countries’ energy security.

Platforms, such as the G20 Compact with Africa, promote connections and capital transfers between international investors and African businesses. With the cooperation of supranational organizations like the World Bank, Congo-Kinshasa’s ambitions can viably materialize. To lift 110 million Congolese from the “resource curse” and promote energy security, both the DRC and a mineral-dependent world must build on existing progress.

Diego Tobon

Undergraduate Seminar Fellow

Diego Tobon is a second-year student from Tampa, Florida on track to study finance & legal studies at The Wharton School.  Tobon is also a 2025 Undergraduate Student Fellow.