KINSHASA, Apr. 18 (AGCNewsNet) – Erik Prince, a prominent supporter of U.S. President, Donald Trump, and founder of the now-defunct private military company Blackwater, has agreed to assist the Democratic Republic of Congo in boosting revenues from its mineral sector, sources familiar with the matter said.

The deal, reached before a major offensive by M23 rebels in January, aims to curb smuggling and improve tax collection from Congo’s vast reserves of copper, cobalt, lithium, and coltan—key minerals used in smartphones and electric vehicles.

Two sources close to Prince, a Congolese government official, and two diplomats confirmed the agreement. Prince’s team would focus on revenue and compliance measures rather than deploying contractors to conflict zones, the sources said.

However, implementation is now uncertain as the rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has seized control of Goma and Butembo, the two largest cities in eastern Congo. A plan to deploy Prince's contractors to Goma has been shelved due to the security situation.

A Congolese government official said the deal, initially struck with the finance ministry, would require review in light of ongoing talks with the United States about a broader critical minerals partnership.

Congo had previously pitched a minerals-for-security arrangement to the Trump administration, though Washington has not disclosed what form of security support it might offer. Analysts have speculated that involving private security contractors such as Prince remains a possible avenue.

Prince, who sold Blackwater in 2010 following a series of legal controversies, declined to comment through a spokesperson. The Congolese presidency and the U.S. State Department also did not respond to requests for comment.

While Congo's mineral wealth holds immense economic potential, the industry remains plagued by corruption, informal mining, and armed group activity. As M23 now controls large tracts of mineral-rich territory, any reforms or enforcement efforts face significant hurdles.

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