Trump to Appoint Nigerian Lebanese Businessman, Boulos as Special Envoy to DRC, Drive for Minerals Deal

U.S. President Donald Trump is poised to appoint Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-born businessman with deep ties to Nigeria, as his special envoy to the Great Lakes region in East Africa. This strategic move aligns with ongoing discussions between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) regarding access to critical minerals vital for advanced technologies.

Boulos, whose son Michael is married to Trump’s daughter Tiffany, was appointed as Trump’s senior adviser for Arab Affairs in December. Early in his career, he worked in his family’s Nigeria-based business, Boulos Enterprises Ltd., a major player in motor vehicle distribution. The company, which has operated in Nigeria for decades, specializes in assembling and distributing motorcycles, power bikes, and tricycles. It has played a significant role in Nigeria’s transportation sector, particularly in providing affordable mobility solutions to millions of Nigerians. Boulos has also been involved in the retail and real estate sectors in Nigeria, further solidifying his influence in West African business circles.

He is expected to receive security and diplomatic clearances soon and may visit Kinshasa, DRC’s capital, and Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, later this month.

The DRC, rich in minerals like cobalt, lithium, and coltan—essential for electric vehicles and smartphones—is currently embroiled in conflict with the M23 rebel group in its eastern regions. The Congolese government accuses these insurgents, allegedly backed by Rwanda, of seizing mining facilities and illicitly exporting valuable minerals. Both the United Nations and the United States have indicated Rwanda’s involvement, though Kigali denies these allegations.

President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC has sought U.S. assistance to stabilize the region and is proposing a partnership that would grant American companies exclusive access to the country’s critical minerals. In exchange, the DRC seeks security support to combat the rebellion and protect its territorial integrity.

Boulos’s anticipated appointment underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to engaging more deeply in Central Africa’s geopolitical landscape. His extensive business experience in Nigeria and familial connections to the Trump family position him as a key figure in navigating the complexities of the proposed U.S.-DRC minerals partnership.

The successful negotiation of this deal could significantly impact global supply chains for critical minerals, reduce China’s dominance in the sector, and contribute to the stabilization of a region long plagued by conflict. As Boulos prepares for his diplomatic mission, the international community will closely monitor developments in the Great Lakes region.