The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is progressing in its commodities exchange project, the Kinshasa Mercantile Exchange (KME). Minutes from the 7th February Council of Ministers indicate that a preliminary roadmap and initial guidelines have been developed to guide the platform’s creation. 

Without further details, the document confirms that the exchange's organizational structure has been defined, a regulatory review completed, and necessary adjustments identified.

To expedite project implementation, the government has adopted Pemandu's rapid transformation methodology, a strategy developed in Malaysia designed to accelerate the execution of strategic initiatives and quickly deliver tangible results. Also, the government said it is negotiating “strategic partnerships” to set up the Exchange.

The platform will be set up via a public-private partnership between the State–represented by Congo Ressources, which purchases minerals from mining cooperatives—and the American-Saudi firm Sage Intel Inc. Sage Intel or SAGINT offers access to global capital through a digital asset exchange and maintains a compliance and registration system focused on real-world commodities and eco-assets.

Like prominent commodity exchanges like the London Metal Exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, KME aims to structure and centralize trade in the DRC's natural resources. The government estimates that an investment of $650 million will be required over ten years to achieve this goal.

Announced on November 9, 2024, the KME project should facilitate the marketing and regulation of strategic resources, including minerals, agricultural products, and environmental assets like carbon credits.

This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho