The Kinshasa Mercantile Exchange: A Strategic Leap Forward for DRC and U.S. Relations
- jacobclayton56
- Mar 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 20
This is a historic moment for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and SAGINT's collaborative efforts to modernize its commodity markets. On February 7, 2025, during the 31st Council of Ministers in Kinshasa, the DRC government officially validated the Preliminary 60-Day Report for the Kinshasa Mercantile Exchange (KME). This landmark decision, announced by Minister of State for Spatial Planning Maître Guy Loando Mboyo on February 28, 2025, marks a decisive step toward transforming the Congolese economy through a transparent, efficient, and globally competitive trading platform. The validation not only endorses the KME’s operational and compliance framework but also aligns it with the ambitious NKITA 2035 Plan, setting the stage for structural transformation across key sectors like mining, agriculture, and energy.
This achievement is a testament to the tireless work of SAGINT, our partners at Congo Resources (CORES), and the DRC government under the leadership of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. The KME is poised to unlock the DRC’s vast potential by formalizing markets, enhancing transparency, and integrating cutting-edge digital infrastructure. However, what makes this moment even more significant is its convergence with emerging opportunities on the global stage, particularly with the United States, where recent developments spearheaded by Representative Ronny Jackson (TX) could amplify the KME’s impact.
Validation of the KME: A Foundation for Economic Transformation
The DRC government’s endorsement of the KME’s 60-Day Report outlines a roadmap for a multi-asset exchange that leverages blockchain technology, OECD-compliant standards, and a hybrid clearing system to trade commodities and derivatives.
The KME will list critical minerals and metals—cobalt, copper, lithium, coltan, and more—sourced from the DRC’s rich deposits, transforming them into tokenized digital assets on a blockchain-based platform. By pegging transactions to a USD stablecoin (e.g., USDC or USDT), subject to collaboration with DRC monetary authorities, the KME ensures stability, traceability, and global accessibility. This approach not only aligns with international standards like MiFID II and Basel III but also positions the DRC as a leader in responsible and sustainable resource management, a priority underscored by the report’s emphasis on formalizing the informal sector and boosting producer revenues.
U.S. Developments: Rep. Ronny Jackson and a Potential Security-for-Minerals Deal
As the KME gains momentum, its potential is magnified by recent developments in the United States, particularly through the advocacy of Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas. A member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Jackson has been a vocal proponent of regulatory frameworks for digital assets and stablecoins, as evidenced by his participation in hearings like “The Future of Digital Assets” in 2022. His influence in Congress aligns with growing U.S. interest in securing critical minerals from the DRC, a nation holding over half the world’s cobalt reserves and significant deposits of other materials vital to advanced technologies, including electric vehicles and defense systems.
Reports emerging in early 2025 suggest that the Trump administration, with encouragement from lawmakers like Rep. Jackson, is exploring a USA-DRC “Security for Minerals” deal. This potential pact, hinted at by Congolese officials and covered by outlets like Reuters and The New York Times, would see the U.S. provide security assistance—potentially including military support to counter Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern DRC—in exchange for exclusive access to Congolese minerals. Such an agreement would diversify the DRC’s partnerships, reducing its reliance on China, which currently dominates 75-80% of its mining operations, and strengthen U.S. supply chains amid geopolitical competition.
For the KME, this deal would be a game-changer. The exchange is uniquely positioned to operationalize this partnership by listing DRC minerals and metals on its OECD-compliant Digital Asset Exchange. Tokenized assets, backed by physical commodities and pegged to a USD stablecoin, would offer U.S. companies a secure, transparent, and efficient means to procure these resources directly from Kinshasa, bypassing intermediaries and illicit channels. The blockchain infrastructure ensures traceability, aligning with OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains, a standard the DRC is committed to upholding and the U.S. has long supported through initiatives like the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
A Win-Win for Both Nations
The synergy between the KME’s validation and a potential U.S.-DRC deal is undeniable. For the DRC, U.S. security support would stabilize mineral-rich regions, enabling the KME to expand its reach and formalize artisanal mining operations—a sector employing millions but plagued by informality and conflict. The projected $10 billion in foreign direct investment over a decade, as outlined in the KME report, could be accelerated by U.S. involvement, amplifying economic benefits for Congolese producers and communities.
For the U.S., the KME offers a reliable platform to secure critical minerals essential for its technological and defense industries, reducing dependence on adversarial supply chains. Rep. Jackson’s advocacy for stablecoin regulation dovetails perfectly with the KME’s USD-pegged transaction model, ensuring market stability and investor confidence—key priorities in his legislative efforts. This alignment could position Texas, with its growing tech and energy sectors, as a hub for U.S.-DRC trade, further elevating Rep. Jackson’s influence in shaping America’s economic strategy.
Looking Ahead
The validation of the KME by the DRC government on February 7, 2025, is a foundational step toward a prosperous, equitable future for the Congolese people. As SAGINT continues to drive this initiative we are eager to deepen our collaboration with U.S. stakeholders. The potential USA-DRC Security for Minerals deal, bolstered by President Trump's leadership, could elevate the KME into a global powerhouse, bridging two nations in a partnership rooted in innovation, security, and shared prosperity.
We are redefining how the world trades minerals, proving that economic transformation and international cooperation can go hand in hand.
