The Democratic Republic of Congo is accelerating its entry into the global lithium market as China’s Zijin Mining advances the Manono project, a massive deposit expected to rank among the world’s largest and reshape electric vehicle supply chains.
According to Bloomberg, the Manono lithium project could produce around 130,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent annually—roughly 5 percent of global supply—placing Congo at the centre of the energy transition while reinforcing China’s dominance in critical minerals.
Manono emerges as a strategic lithium giant
The Manono-Kitotolo deposit is rapidly emerging as one of the most important lithium assets globally.
At full capacity, the project is expected to produce around 130,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent annually, positioning it among the largest hard-rock lithium operations worldwide.
For Congo, this marks a strategic expansion beyond cobalt dominance into a broader battery minerals portfolio, reinforcing its growing influence across the global battery supply chain.
Reuters previously reported that Zijin plans to begin initial lithium output from Manono as early as 2026, signalling rapid development momentum.
China tightens its battery supply chain grip
Zijin’s investment reflects a broader Chinese strategy to secure upstream control of critical minerals.
Chinese firms already dominate significant portions of Congo’s copper and cobalt industries. Lithium represents the next frontier, with Manono providing a strategic foothold and reinforcing a broader pattern of Chinese expansion across Africa’s critical minerals sector.
The International Energy Agency’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2025 warns that supply chains remain highly concentrated, with lithium demand projected to increase sharply as electric vehicle adoption accelerates.
Despite its scale, the Manono project remains entangled in legal disputes.
Australian firm AVZ Minerals continues to challenge the revocation of its licence, with arbitration proceedings ongoing, underscoring persistent regulatory and legal risks in Congo’s mining sector.
Reuters notes that the dispute remains unresolved even as Zijin advances construction, highlighting the complexities surrounding major mining investments in the country
Congo’s lithium opportunity comes with hard choices
Lithium offers Congo a pathway to diversify its mining revenues and deepen its role in global supply chains.
However, the country still captures only a limited share of value from its vast mineral wealth—raising questions around beneficiation, local processing and fiscal reform.
The geopolitical dimension is also intensifying. In December 2025, the United States signed a strategic minerals partnership with the DRC, aimed at strengthening supply chain resilience and reducing dependence on China.
If delivered on schedule, the Manono lithium mine could become one of the defining projects of the global energy transition.
Its scale, timing and geopolitical significance place it at the centre of a rapidly evolving minerals landscape.
For Congo, the challenge will be converting mineral wealth into long-term economic value while navigating legal disputes and intensifying global competition.
Manono is no longer just a mining project—it is a strategic asset in the race to power the future.
Credit: Bloomberg & Africabriefing
