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DRC Has Joined Italy's Mattei Plan

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Med-Or signed a memorandum to boost cooperation on training and capacity building.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Oil and Gas

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The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially joined Italy's Mattei Plan, signing a memorandum with Med-Or to foster strategic training and resource cooperation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Med-Or and the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for strategic dialogue and cooperation. The agreement follows the nation joining the Italian Mattei Plan earlier this year.

Why it matters

The partnership aims to leverage the significant mineral wealth of the Democratic Republic of Congo to support Italy's energy transition goals. This initiative focuses on developing local expertise and strengthening international ties through targeted training programs.

The Democratic Republic of Congo accounts for a population of more than 100 million people. Italy's broader Mattei Plan currently encompasses 18 partner nations.

The players

Med-Or

This foundation focuses on promoting cultural, social, and economic relations between Italy and countries across the Mediterranean and Africa.

Democratic Republic of Congo

This nation is a key central African state that holds vast mineral resources vital to global technology and energy supply chains.

The details

The collaboration provides for joint seminars and knowledge exchange between Italian institutions and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Med-Or continues to expand its regional footprint through hubs like the one opened in Nairobi in early 2026.

Timeline

  1. The Democratic Republic of Congo joined the Italian Mattei Plan in March 2026.

  2. Med-Or opened a regional office in Nairobi in February 2026.

  3. An agreement with Djibouti's Ministry of Economy and Finance was signed in July 2026.

  4. The memorandum of understanding with the Democratic Republic of Congo was signed on September 28, 2026.

Market Landscape

This agreement signals a deeper integration into the Italian Mattei Plan, which serves as a cornerstone for Italy's diplomatic and economic engagement in Africa. By securing this partnership, Italy positions itself to better access critical minerals necessary for its long-term energy transition strategy.

The increased cooperation could eventually stabilize supply chains for materials used in green technologies, potentially lowering costs for emerging energy sectors. For consumers, these diplomatic moves represent the long-term effort to ensure affordable access to essential modern tech components.

The takeaway

Italy is actively expanding its influence by building human capital through training and institutional cooperation. These efforts are designed to ensure long-term stability and access to critical resources in growing markets.

Further reading

For more information on energy sector shifts, visit World Oil and Gas.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Decode39.

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Do international development partnerships generally provide long-term economic benefits to the partner nations?