The Democratic Republic of Congo has approved a DRC-USA Task Force to accelerate implementation of its strategic minerals partnership with the United States. The move supports Kinshasa’s effort to attract Western investment into its copper and cobalt sectors, diversify funding beyond China and strengthen ties with Washington as it seeks to challenge China’s influence over critical-minerals supply chains. Congo, the world’s largest cobalt producer and second-largest copper exporter, signed the partnership with the U.S. in December. It has already produced a U.S.-backed mining investment through Virtus Minerals and expanded copper offtake arrangements, agreements to buy future mine production, between state miner Gecamines and Mercuria and Glencore. The September 11 cabinet decision formally created the task force, which Economy Minister Daniel Mukoko Samba said would turn partnership commitments into concrete economic and security results for Congolese citizens. The government did not disclose its membership or priority projects. A government official said the body was initially expected to become operational in February but was delayed by administrative hurdles, while implementation continued. Ministers also approved a record $24.8 billion budget for 2027, 12% above this year’s revised spending plan, with infrastructure, security and economic diversification among the priorities.