A museum dedicated to Belgium's colonial past is currently facing a challenge regarding access to vital documents related to the abundant mineral resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a nation once colonized by Belgium.
The government of Congo, alongside KoBold Metals--a mining and AI firm supported by high-profile investors such as Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates--are requesting access to geological records stored at the Africa Museum in Tervuren, Belgium. This company has established a partnership with the Congolese government to digitize these important records.
KoBold's agreement with the DRC, which began in 2025, aims to facilitate the exploration of the Manono lithium deposit, one of the largest globally, as well as other minerals essential for electric vehicle batteries. The DRC is also rich in copper and cobalt, both of which are crucial for modern technology.
The Africa Museum is actively engaged in a digitization initiative funded by the EU, promising to provide copies of the documents to the Congolese authorities. Currently, these documents are available for public access on-site. A spokesperson from the Belgian government indicated that discussions with Congo are ongoing, but emphasized that Belgium cannot provide exclusive access to a foreign private company without a contractual agreement.
Originally opened in 1897, the museum was established by King Leopold II to showcase the wealth derived from the region's cultural artifacts and natural resources. Following a significant renovation in 2018, the museum has sought to address its colonial narrative.
In 2021, Belgium announced plans to return numerous items that were unlawfully acquired from the DRC, acknowledging that about one percent of the museum's collection was obtained through illegal means.
Despite efforts to modernize its image, the museum faced backlash in 2019 due to an incident involving attendees at an event who wore insensitive costumes, prompting an official apology.