President Paul Kagame said Rwanda has its own mineral resources and questioned why the country’s ambition to become a regional mineral processing hub is treated as evidence of exploitation in eastern DRC. When asked about accusations that Rwanda’s presence in eastern Congo is driven by a desire to access the region’s minerals, Kagame responded, “Are you aware that we have our own minerals here? We have our own minerals here, and then minerals from outside are also welcome; it depends on the deal.”
He said Rwanda is part of the mineral certification process and can verify the origin of what passes through the country. “The process of identifying the origin of these minerals, we are part of that. We can certify everything that comes through here, or that stays here,” he said.
He questioned why Rwanda’s hub ambition drew accusations rather than recognition. “We have been a hub for many things, a financial hub, a regional hub. What is the problem? Why should this be an accusation against us?” he said. “They say, ‘You see, they are there in the DRC because you want minerals. ‘But are you aware that we have our own minerals here?”
The U.S. Treasury stated in its March 2 sanctions notice that in exchange for its support for M23, Rwanda gained access to mineral-rich areas of eastern DRC that contribute to the financing of M23’s armed rebellion. In October 2025, Rwanda exported tungsten to the United States for the first time through a partnership involving Trinity Metals, Pennsylvania-based Global Tungsten and Powders, and the international commodities trading firm Traxys, with between four and seven containers shipped every quarter for two years.
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