Afghanistan’s Taliban government is courting Donald Trump with access to an estimated $1 trillion in minerals, introducing another potential source of strategic metals as the United States attempts to secure priority rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi invited American companies to invest in Afghanistan’s mining, infrastructure and agricultural sectors in an interview with the Financial Times.
Muttaqi argued that Washington and Kabul should replace two decades of military conflict with commercial cooperation.
The Taliban says Afghanistan possesses approximately $1 trillion in untapped minerals and has concluded more than $7 billion in mining agreements since returning to power in 2021.
Much of that investment has come from companies connected to China, Iran and other countries willing to engage with the internationally isolated government.
**An enormous geological estimate**
Afghanistan is believed to contain copper, iron ore, lithium, rare-earth elements, gold and other minerals used in electric vehicles, power systems and military technology.
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However, the frequently cited $1 trillion figure is an estimate of resources in the ground. It is not a commercial reserve valuation or the amount investors could earn.
Many Afghan deposits require additional exploration, feasibility studies, roads, power and processing facilities. Security risks, sanctions and the absence of widespread recognition of the Taliban government also make financing difficult.
The Taliban’s treatment of women and girls remains another major barrier to improved relations with Western governments.
**Congo has operating mines and an American agreement**
The Afghan approach comes as Washington seeks to reduce its dependence on China by gaining greater access to Congo’s established mining industry.
Congo is the world’s dominant producer of mined cobalt and one of its largest sources of copper. Unlike many Afghan deposits, Congolese mines already supply international markets.
Under the US–DRC Strategic Partnership Agreement, American investors receive a right of first offer on projects placed in a Congolese Strategic Asset Reserve.
When an American company submits a qualifying proposal, it can negotiate with Congo for as long as nine months before the opportunity is offered to investors from allied countries.
Congo has also agreed to give US companies first access to some marketed minerals and to explore a strategic stockpile inside the country.
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The agreement targets substantial use of the Sakania–Lobito transport corridor. Within five years, the partners want the route to carry 50% of Congo’s copper exports, 30% of cobalt exports and 90% of zinc concentrate exports, according to the International Energy Agency’s summary.
**Two difficult investment propositions**
Afghanistan and Congo are not engaged in a confirmed contest for the same American investment.
Congo offers operating mines, known production and access through the Lobito corridor but continues to face electricity shortages, corruption concerns and conflict in its eastern regions.
Afghanistan offers geological potential but lacks the infrastructure, legal certainty and political recognition required by most major Western mining companies.
The Taliban is also demanding the release of approximately $9.5 billion in frozen Afghan assets, including $7 billion held in the United States.
Trump has shown interest in recovering access to Bagram air base. The Taliban has rejected that proposal, and the US government has not announced plans to invest in Afghan mining.
The new pitch therefore remains an invitation. Congo, by contrast, has already signed a framework giving American investors specific commercial privileges.
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