🇨🇩🇮🇱 Tshisekedi and Netanyahu Agree to Strengthen Economic and Security Ties
JERUSALEM/KINSHASA — September 1, 2026 — Democratic Republic of the Congo President Félix Tshisekedi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to strengthen economic and security relations between their countries following high-level talks in Jerusalem.
The meeting marks a further step in the growing relationship between Kinshasa and Jerusalem, establishing a clearer political commitment to expand bilateral cooperation.
However, neither government announced a new investment contract, financing package or project-specific agreement following the talks. The development should therefore be understood as a high-level commitment to deepen cooperation rather than a completed commercial deal.
Netanyahu Receives Tshisekedi in Jerusalem
According to a post-meeting account citing the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu received Tshisekedi at his office on September 1. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also attended the talks.
The official account said the two leaders agreed to strengthen relations between Israel and the DRC, particularly in the economic and security sectors.
Netanyahu described relations between the two countries as a strong friendship and expressed confidence that Tshisekedi’s visit would help deepen those ties.
Economic Cooperation Moves Higher on the Agenda
Economic cooperation was expected to feature prominently during Tshisekedi’s working visit.
According to the DRC Presidency’s briefing on the trip, discussions were expected to cover several strategic sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, energy, high technology, security and defence.
Israeli investment opportunities associated with the Lobito Corridor were also expected to be examined.
The corridor is an important regional transport route connecting mineral-producing areas of the DRC and Zambia with Angola’s Atlantic coast, making it strategically significant for trade and investment in Central and Southern Africa.
Security and Defence Remain Central
Security was one of the two areas specifically highlighted following the Tshisekedi-Netanyahu meeting.
That is particularly significant for the DRC as the country continues to confront armed conflict and regional security tensions in its eastern provinces.
But no details of a new security package were publicly announced.
Neither government disclosed a new weapons purchase, military training programme, intelligence-sharing arrangement or cybersecurity contract.
Any claim that the two countries have already concluded a specific military deal would therefore go beyond what has been publicly announced.
Meeting Builds on July Agreements
The presidential talks build on diplomatic agreements reached earlier in 2026.
On July 27, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar met DRC Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner in Jerusalem.
According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the two sides signed memorandums of understanding covering diplomatic training and political consultations between their foreign ministries.
During those discussions, investment, innovation, agriculture, healthcare, education and emerging technologies were also identified as areas with potential for greater bilateral cooperation.
Israel also announced that it had provided three tonnes of medical aid to support the DRC’s response to Ebola.
DRC-Israel Relations Enter a New Phase
The September 1 meeting between Tshisekedi and Netanyahu appears to elevate the developing partnership to the presidential level.
For Kinshasa, closer relations with Israel could potentially create opportunities in technology, agriculture, infrastructure, energy and security. For Israel, stronger relations with the DRC could expand its diplomatic and economic engagement in Central Africa.
For now, however, the announcement represents a political commitment to deepen cooperation. Details of specific investments, security programmes and commercial projects will depend on future negotiations and formal agreements.
🇨🇩🇮🇱 The Tshisekedi-Netanyahu meeting signals a new push to deepen DRC-Israel relations, with economic development and security at the center of the partnership.
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✍️ Author: Meca Media