By: Felicia Dairo and Oluwapelumi Oginni

The resource curse, or “paradox of plenty”, is evident in Africa, where countries rich in natural resources have not experienced proportional economic growth or poverty reduction. Countries such as Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana and Niger possess vast deposits, yet they struggle with high poverty rates and inequality. Meanwhile, resource-poor countries like Taiwan and Singapore have achieved rapid economic development.

The DRC, for example, has immense natural wealth, including cobalt, copper, gold, and industrial diamonds. In 2022, the DRC accounted for nearly 68 per cent of the world’s cobalt production with 130,000 tons, making it central to the global energy transition. It was also the fourth-largest producer of industrial diamonds, with 4.3 million carats. The country’s copper reserves are among the highest quality worldwide, with some mines containing grades above 3 per cent, far exceeding the global average of 0.6–0.8 per cent.

Despite this wealth, the Congolese people remain largely impoverished due to prolonged conflict, political instability, and weak governance. The country ranks 164 out of 174 on the 2020 Human Capital Index, with a score of 0.37, below the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 0.4. Years of conflict, corruption, forced displacement and inequitable resource distribution and forced displacement continue to hinder development.

The Curse of Cobalt: Fueling Exploitation and Conflict in the DRC

The DRC has the largest cobalt reserves and is a major metal producer. However, cobalt, a valuable mineral resource and a vital component of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and other electronic devices, has been a major driver of human rights abuses and conflict in Congo. For instance, extraction of this metal in the DRC has led to various forms and degrees of abuse, including forced labour, child labour, and hazardous working conditions for thousands of children as young as 7 years old. Some of these children have worked in cobalt mines in the DRC, where they are exposed to dust from cobalt, leading to respiratory diseases and long-term health problems. Similarly, some have been forced into labour as miners in an attempt to pay off debts that have, in the long run, become difficult to repay.

Since 1996, artisanal mining has been at the centre of violent struggles, with corrupt government officials, rebel groups, and foreign companies exploiting mineral resources to fuel instability. Control over trade routes has become a battleground as armed groups and power brokers manipulate access to these lucrative resources. This has led to widespread violence, the displacement of communities, and the destruction of local livelihoods as factions fight for dominance over mining territories, deepening insecurity across the Republic. This has also resulted in the deaths of thousands of people.

In January 2025, this enduring issue escalated dramatically as the M23 rebel group intensified its offensive, capturing key mineral-rich territories. The M23 rebels, reportedly supported by Rwanda, have strategically targeted mineral-rich areas to strengthen their economic base and sustain their military operations. In a recent report, the rebel group seized control of Walikale, a major mining hub in eastern DRC known for its substantial tin and gold deposits. This capture provided the rebels with direct access to valuable resources and granted them control over a key road connecting four provinces, thereby isolating army positions and advancing within 250 miles of Kisangani. The occupation of such strategic locations has significant implications. By controlling these areas, the M23 can exploit mineral resources to fund their activities, perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability. This pattern mirrors historical conflicts in the DRC, where armed groups have financed their operations through the illicit trade of minerals, often referred to as “conflict minerals.” The ongoing struggle for control over these resources continues to fuel unrest, leading to widespread displacement and humanitarian crises as the surge in violence establishes the persistent entanglement between mineral extraction and armed conflict in the region.

The DRC is not alone.

Africa is rich in natural resources, holding 90 per cent of the world’s chromium, 90 per cent of cobalt, and 85 per cent of platinum. Yet, it remains the poorest continent, with the lowest per capita income compared to other continents. Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, has earned $800 billion in oil rents but still faces over 60 per cent poverty rate. In the solid minerals sector, an estimated 80 per cent of mining operations are illegal, fueling rural banditry and conflicts. In the last five years, Zamfara State has recorded over 5,000 fatalities due to violence related to resource extraction. Although the government imposed a ban on artisanal mining in 2019 and deployed military forces to enforce it, yet illegal mining activities continue unabated. In February 2020, military operations led to the death of 13 bandits across Zamfara and Kebbi states. However, just two months later, in April, four soldiers lost their lives, and two Chinese nationals were apprehended for engaging in illegal mining.

Diamonds have played a significant role in fueling violent conflicts across Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire. Between 1991 and 2002, diamond-funded wars led to the deaths of an estimated 3.7 million people. In Sierra Leone, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) earned between $25 million and $125 million annually from diamond sales, using the funds to purchase weapons and carry out brutal attacks.

In Angola, the rebel group UNITA financed its war against the government by selling $3.7 billion worth of diamonds between 1992 and 1998. Similarly, in the DRC, warlords and militias controlled diamond mines, contributing to ongoing conflict while exporting $700 million worth of diamonds annually. Liberia also became a key player in the blood diamond trade, with former President Charles Taylor using diamond revenues to fund the RUF in Sierra Leone, leading to UN sanctions on Liberian diamonds in 2001.

Côte d’Ivoire faced similar challenges, with rebels controlling its diamond mines and smuggling approximately $23 million worth of diamonds annually despite a UN embargo imposed in 2005. At the height of the blood diamond crisis, conflict diamonds accounted for about 15 per cent of the global diamond trade.

The Global Demand for Conflict Minerals: A Source of Instability and Human Rights Violations

The impact of multinational corporations in exacerbating conflict through illegal mining cannot be overlooked. Their involvement in the extraction of mineral resources, such as cobalt and copper, for economic interests and profit motives has resulted in the exploitation of artisanal mines, leaving them unregulated and controlled by foreign companies, local militias, or corrupt officials. These external forces, in collaboration with rebel groups, use violence, coercion, and extortion to control mining areas and extract minerals to finance their operations.

The demand for conflict minerals in Western and Asian markets has increased, fueling instability in the DRC. These minerals greatly benefit the country, particularly in the production of electronics, automotive batteries, and other high-tech products in high demand globally. However, their extraction has been a major contributing factor to conflict, human rights abuses, and economic instability. International policies and interventions addressing the conflict minerals crisis have largely failed due to weak enforcement, corporate indifference, corruption, and geopolitical interests. While some positive steps have been made, such as increased corporate responsibility and greater awareness, the structural issues that fuel the conflict remain dominant.

Ending the Resource Curse

To break free from the resource curse, governments must prioritise strong governance and transparency to ensure that natural wealth benefits citizens rather than fueling corruption and conflict. Effective resource management requires sound public financial systems, fair taxation policies, and responsible budget allocation, focusing on essential services like healthcare, education, and employment generation. Without transparency, resource-rich nations risk falling into cycles of mismanagement and inequality.

In addition, regional and international cooperation is essential to effectively regulate and monitor resource extraction. Countries must strengthen partnerships to enforce ethical mining practices, prevent illicit activities, and establish fair contracts with extractive companies.

Economic diversification is also a crucial strategy to reduce overdependence on natural resources. Governments should invest in agriculture, technology, and manufacturing sectors to create alternative revenue streams and job opportunities. Establishing industries beyond resource extraction will help stabilise economies and reduce vulnerability to global commodity price fluctuations.

Furthermore, civil society, investigative journalism, and advocacy are vital in ensuring accountability. By exposing corruption, monitoring revenue flows, and advocating for responsible governance, these actors help prevent resource mismanagement. Learning from successful countries can provide valuable insights, but these lessons must be adapted to local contexts.

To harness natural resources for national development, governments must implement policies that strengthen transparency, promote economic diversification, and encourage regional and international cooperation. Only through these measures can resource-rich nations transform their wealth into long-term prosperity while safeguarding the interests of their citizens.

Conclusion: From Curse to Prosperity: Reclaiming the DRC’s Future

For too long, the wealth of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been both a blessing and a curse—riches that should uplift its people have instead fueled endless conflict, exploitation, and despair. But what if this cycle could be broken? What if the same minerals that have drawn warlords and corporations into a ruthless scramble for power could be harnessed to build, not destroy? Breaking free from this economic curse is not just a dream but a possibility within reach. The key lies in a concerted global effort that goes beyond rhetoric and takes decisive action. The international community must advance, wielding diplomacy, economic support, and technical expertise as transformation tools. The unchecked demand for conflict minerals—cobalt, coltan, gold—must be addressed with transparency and accountability at every stage of the supply chain.

Yet, international action alone is not enough. Africa must rise to its defence, standing firm for the rights of its people. The clinking of blood-stained coins must no longer drown out the voices of the people. A future of prosperity demands a coalition and regional collaboration—governments enforcing responsible policies, civil society amplifying the call for justice, and global actors aligning their interests with ethical progress rather than exploitation. A nation that was once a battlefield can become a beacon. The path is not easy, but it is possible. With the right actions, Africa can reclaim its wealth, restore its dignity, and build a home where its people can finally live in peace. The time to act is now—before history repeats itself once more.