Conseil congolais de la batterie (CCB) and Standard Bank DRC signed a memorandum of understanding in Kinshasa on May 28 to support the structuring of finance-ready industrial projects across the battery value chain. The signing ceremony was attended by Industry Minister Justin Kalumba.

According to the CCB, the agreement is designed to align national industrial priorities with the requirements needed to secure financing. It is intended to support the development of projects linked to battery manufacturing and the processing of strategic minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Under the agreement, the CCB will continue to identify, qualify and align industrial projects, while Standard Bank DRC will contribute its expertise in financial structuring and capital mobilization.

The two partners aim to help develop projects that meet investor requirements in a sector where demand for capital, technical expertise and financial credibility remains high.

Standard Bank DRC Chief Executive Marie-Gabrielle Opese said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to supporting the CCB's vision of positioning the DRC within the global battery value chain.

Projects Still to Be Defined

"We are convinced that adding value locally, industrialization and integration into global value chains are essential drivers of sustainable and inclusive growth," she said.

According to the CCB, the signing marks a new step in the DRC's efforts to strengthen its position in industries linked to the global energy transition.

Industry Minister Kalumba said the local processing of strategic minerals could help accelerate the country's industrial development while generating new resources to support other sectors of the national economy.

At this stage, the memorandum does not specify which projects are involved, the amounts to be mobilized or a timeline for implementation. It primarily establishes a framework for collaboration between the CCB and Standard Bank DRC to prepare projects capable of attracting financing.

Ronsard Luabeya