DRC cites record U.S. trade growth as AGOA renewal nears

The Democratic Republic of the Congo says bilateral trade with the United States hit a record $2.15 billion in 2025 under AGOA, up from $541 million in 2024. The government is urging Washington to renew DRC eligibility, arguing the program is strengthening supply chains for critical minerals and could drive much more trade by 2030.

Why it matters: - The DRC is positioning AGOA as a key driver of trade, investment and industrial development. - The country’s critical minerals, especially cobalt and copper, remain important to U.S. manufacturing, electric vehicles, clean energy, semiconductors, aerospace and national security supply chains. - The trade surge gives both governments a fresh argument for extending the program as AGOA review continues.

What happened: - The DRC’s Foreign Trade Ministry told the U.S. Trade Representative hearing that AGOA has had a transformative impact on U.S.-DRC trade. - The ministry cited recently reported trade data submitted to the USTR in the public filing. - Bilateral trade between the United States and the DRC reached $2.15 billion in 2025, up from $541 million in 2024. - U.S. exports to the DRC totaled $223.8 million in 2025. - U.S. imports from the DRC reached $1.93 billion in 2025. - The import total was driven mainly by critical minerals, including cobalt and copper.

The details: - Trade between the two countries rose from $181.9 million in 2020 to more than $2.15 billion in 2025 after the DRC was reinstated into AGOA in December 2020. - The ministry said the five-year increase represents nearly $2 billion in additional trade. - The government said trade could exceed $4.3 billion by 2030 if AGOA is renewed. - That outlook also depends on the U.S.-DRC Strategic Partnership signed in December 2025 and continued development of the Lobito Corridor. - Future growth is expected to come from expanded transportation and logistics infrastructure. - Other growth drivers listed by the government include modernized customs and trade facilitation systems. - The list also includes special economic zones, greater U.S. private-sector investment and more value-added processing of critical minerals inside the DRC.

Between the lines: - The DRC is trying to shift the conversation from raw mineral exports to local processing, manufacturing and regional value chains. - The government is also linking AGOA renewal to broader U.S. economic and security goals, especially supply chain resilience. - The pitch suggests the DRC sees trade policy as a tool for job creation in both Africa and the United States, not just export growth. - The ministry said the DRC will keep working on AGOA eligibility requirements through reforms tied to the rule of law, the investment climate, trade facilitation, anti-corruption efforts, workers’ rights, human rights and a transparent market economy.

What’s next: - The DRC is asking the United States to reaffirm the country’s AGOA eligibility. - Policymakers weighing AGOA’s future are being urged to give more attention to strategic mineral value chains, regional manufacturing and digital trade. - The government is also calling for stronger partnerships between American businesses and African entrepreneurs.

The bottom line: - The DRC is using record trade numbers to make the case that AGOA is working and should continue. - The country’s message is straightforward: keep the program, and trade in critical minerals and related industries could grow much further.