Erik Prince, the controversial founder of Blackwater and a well-known ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has struck a deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to help the country clamp down on rampant mineral smuggling and reclaim lost revenue.
The agreement, signed with Congo’s Ministry of Finance before the recent surge in violence from M23 rebels, aims to clean up one of the country’s most lucrative—but troubled—industries. The DRC’s mining sector has long been a hotbed of corruption, conflict, and illegal exports, costing the state millions in lost income.
Sources close to the deal—including Prince’s associates, Congolese officials, and diplomats—say the plan focuses on tightening tax collection and curbing illicit mineral exports. Importantly, Prince’s team will not be deploying armed contractors into active conflict zones.
This initiative comes as Congo explores broader cooperation with the United States on critical minerals. Talks around a minerals-for-security deal began under the Trump administration, though the Biden White House has yet to clarify its position. In the meantime, Prince’s involvement could serve as a stopgap solution to help stabilize revenue flows.
The initial rollout will focus on the mineral-rich Katanga region in southern Congo, far from the eastern conflict zones where the M23 rebellion has disrupted mining operations. Officials are targeting Kolwezi, near the Zambian border, a major copper hub where as much as $40 million in tax revenue is lost every month due to smuggling.
Prince’s team is expected to partner with a commodity testing and inspection firm to monitor mineral output and enforce transparency. While a deal has been signed in principle, details on the deployment and number of personnel are still being finalized.
With years of experience supporting resource companies across Africa, including in Congo’s trucking and mineral sectors, Prince is no stranger to the region. He’s been active in the DRC since 2015. While past proposals involving armed contractors in eastern Congo didn’t move forward, this new agreement leans more on logistics and oversight.
The timing is significant. Regional instability is growing, with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels taking key eastern towns, disrupting trade, and deepening insecurity. Watchdogs like the UN and Global Witness have accused Rwanda of looting Congolese minerals—allegations Rwanda denies.
According to sources close to Prince, the mission is not just about enforcement but also about improving transparency, ensuring Congo’s mineral wealth is properly taxed and reinvested in line with national mining laws.
While the political landscape remains fraught, the Congolese government seems determined to wrest control of its natural resources. And Erik Prince, though controversial, is now set to play a key role in that effort.
