Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi has focused on expanding security, defense, and infrastructure cooperation with Israel during a working visit to Jerusalem, marking his second official trip since 2021.
Tshisekedi held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog on September 1, discussing security, defense, agriculture, energy, and high technology, according to Israel National News.
Tshisekedi emphasized that his ambition is to build "a modern, pragmatic and mutually beneficial partnership" with Israel, measured not only by signed agreements but by concrete results for both peoples.
Netanyahu described the relationship as "a great friendship that we want to deepen even further," while both leaders agreed to strengthen economic and security ties between their countries.
According to the DRC Presidency, bilateral talks expanded into high-technology, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy, demonstrating a push toward a comprehensive partnership. Discussions also included input from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar regarding the implementation of the DRC-Rwanda peace agreement.
Beyond security, Tshisekedi's agenda included exploring Israeli investment in the Lobito Corridor, a strategic rail and logistics project linking DR Congo's mineral-rich Katanga region through Zambia to Angola's Atlantic port of Lobito.
The deepening relationship aligns with Israel's historical goal of building African security partnerships, tapping into its expertise in defense tech, intelligence, cybersecurity, and border management.
Ties between Kinshasa and Israel were re-established in early March 2020, when Félix Tshisekedi appointed an ambassador to Israel, the first in twenty years. Following Isaac Herzog's visit to Kinshasa in November 2025, Israel has strengthened its medical support for the Ebola response.
