The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has entered into a partnership with Erik Prince, the former U.S. Navy SEAL and founder of the private security firm Blackwater, to bolster efforts in securing mining revenues and enhancing transparency in the country’s lucrative extractive industries.
The agreement—reached several months before the January 2025 rebel offensive by M23 forces—aims to clamp down on smuggling and corruption, which continue to drain the state of substantial income. The initiative is designed to ensure that mineral production and revenues align with provisions in the Congolese Mining Code.
Initial operations are expected to focus on the southern Katanga region, particularly the Kolwezi–Zambia border, where authorities estimate the DRC is losing up to $40 million per month to illicit trade.
Securing Billions in Revenue
The government projects over $5 billion in mining revenues for 2025, an 11% increase from 2024. Officials suggest that curbing illegal activities could push this figure even higher. In response, President Félix Tshisekedi has already intensified border controls in mining zones since October 2024, reflecting a broader strategy to secure the sector.
Erik Prince’s Role and Experience
Prince, best known for founding Blackwater Worldwide (now Academi) in 1997, has decades of experience in security operations. Though Blackwater came under international scrutiny in the 2000s, Prince has remained active through his current company, Frontier Services Group (FSG).
FSG has previously secured contracts in the DRC, including deals to protect assets held by Chinese mining companies such as Sicomines and China Nonferrous Metal Mining Corporation (CNMC). His involvement in the new agreement may also benefit from deepening ties between the United States and the DRC on strategic mineral cooperation.
The partnership is expected to play a key role in enhancing accountability, boosting state revenue, and protecting one of the DRC’s most critical economic sectors.
