Ten (10) Chinese nationals are detained in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for being involved in illegal mining operations in South Kivu. According to the Congolese Ministry of Justice which disclosed the news on January 10, the arrest is part of broader efforts by several African countries to combat illegal mining. Last month, 17 Chinese nationals had been arrested for the same reasons, in the same region.
#RDC_MINES | 🚨⚖️ COMMUNIQUÉ DU MINISTÈRE DE LA JUSTICE @JusticeGouvCD.
— Ministère des Mines - RDC (@MinMinesRDC) January 11, 2025
Ce communiqué fait suite à l'appréhension d'étrangers impliqués dans l'exploitation illicite de minerais au Sud-Kivu.@kizpaka @shabani_lukoo @VPM_MINTERSECAC @ConstantMutamba #CellComMINES pic.twitter.com/TB9EiO0G7C
Regarding the recent arrest, the Minister of Justice has instructed the Prosecutor General of the South Kivu Court of Appeal to initiate proceedings against those arrested and their accomplices.
A major issue, illegal mining in the DRC costs the country billions annually. Institutional weaknesses, internal complicity, and inadequate oversight exacerbate the issue. Chinese companies are often accused of failing to comply with the Congolese mining code, including operating without valid permits, neglecting environmental impact studies, and refusing to engage with local communities.
Despite these arrests, illegal activities by foreign mining companies, particularly Chinese ones, persist. In August 2021, six Chinese companies were forbidden from operating in South Kivu. They were accused of illegal mining and environmental damage. Unfortunately, it is hard to implement the decisions due to complicity within political and military elites. These alliances undermine governance efforts and hinder the effective implementation of administrative, social, and environmental certification processes advocated by the government. Additionally, the militarization of mining sites often benefits these companies, leading to violence against civilians.
This article was initially published in French by Olivier de Souza
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
A recent UN report has revealed that the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are believed to have illicitly exported at least 150 tonnes of coltan to Rwanda in 2024. This development has been described as “the largest-ever contamination of the Great Lakes region's mineral supply chain”.
The report, relayed by international media outlets such as Reuters, details how the M23's control over transport routes leading to Rwanda facilitated this trafficking. According to the UN, after seizing control of Rubaya, a coltan-rich region in North Kivu, M23 “imposed” taxes on coltan mining sites, reportedly earning around $800,000 monthly from exporting their output to Rwanda.
This is not the first instance of Rwanda being accused of receiving coltan illegally exported from the region. In April 2024, pan-African economic media Ecofin Agency reported that Rwanda was “the preferred route for illicit coltan trade in the area”. Ecofin’s source was an ENACT report “Mining and illicit trading of coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo”. The factors favoring this include a lack of export taxes on coltan and the ability to reclassify imported goods as "made in Rwanda" if they undergo processing with at least 30% added value. It is suggested that “much of the ore exported from Rwanda is of Congolese origin”.
Additionally, a 2022 Global Witness report found that 90% of the 3T ores exported by Rwanda were smuggled from the DRC. More recently, the issue gained attention when the DRC accused Apple of sourcing smuggled coltan, allegations that Apple denied while suspending its coltan supplies in Rwanda and the DRC. The new UN study's findings further fuel the controversy surrounding Rwanda's coltan exports.
In 2023, Rwanda was the world's largest exporter of this mineral, crucial for manufacturing computers and smartphones, with production estimated at 2,070 tonnes, compared to the DRC's 1,918 tonnes. The DRC is believed to hold between 60 and 80% of the world's coltan reserves.
According to Congolese authorities, the country loses approximately $1 billion annually due to illegal trafficking in 3T ores and gold. Besides Rwanda, neighboring countries like Uganda and Burundi are also identified as key destinations for these illicit minerals.
Aurel Sèdjro Houenou, Ecofin Agency
On January 10, Ivanhoe Mines announced a bond issue to raise $600 million. Part of the proceeds will support the firm’s operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This year, Ivanhoe plans to invest up to $1.7 billion in the Central African nation, on its Kamoa-Kakula copper complex and Kipushi zinc mine.
https://x.com/IvanhoeMines_/status/1877754011807355133
In detail, Ivanhoe intends to invest between $1.42 billion and $1.67 billion at Kamoa-Kakula. Most of these funds will serve to expand the mine. Last year, from January to September, Ivanhoe spent $1.61 billion on the project.
Kamoa-Kakula is projected to produce over 600,000 tonnes of copper concentrate by 2026, an increase from a peak of 580,000 tonnes expected in 2024. Last year, the complex delivered 437,061 tonnes of copper.
In contrast, Ivanhoe plans to spend far less on its Kipushi this year, mainly because it spent $185 million in H1 2024 to help revive the project. And now that Kipushi started producing, its operator plans to allocate only $25 million to boost processing capacity by 20% by Q3 2025, and $40 million for ongoing operational maintenance.
While these investments cover Ivanhoe’s DRC operations, the firm has not disclosed how much local suppliers should expect to capture directly. Recently, Congolese authorities have intensified efforts to ensure that local subcontractors and suppliers gain more from investments made by foreign mining companies.
Emiliano Tossou, Ecofin Agency
Rawbank, the largest bank in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by assets and business volume, has helped a local mining company in Katanga province secure up to $10 million in funding. The identity of the mining company remains undisclosed.
“This transaction reinforces our leadership in the DRC’s banking sector and underscores our commitment to supporting the country’s economic development,” said Rawbank Managing Director, Mustafa Rawji.
This is not the first time Rawbank has supported the mining sector. In 2022, the lender led a $200 million syndicated financing package for Kamoa-Kakula, the operator of one of Africa's largest copper deposits. However, this time, Rawbank has introduced new perspectives regarding business financing.
The recent operation features commercial papers—a type of debt security typically reserved for highly credible companies with a strong ability to repay. To further reassure participating investors, Rawbank provided a corporate guarantee. This means that if the borrower struggles to settle its debt, an affiliated company will repay in its stead in due time.
“This second commercial paper issue demonstrates Rawbank's ability to innovate and meet the specific needs of its institutional clients. The bank's trading room, which adheres to international standards, allowed for optimal structuring of the operation, offering investors superior yield opportunities in a competitive market,” said Rawbank Commercial Director, Etienne Mabunda.
Rawbank places significant emphasis on the mining sector, which accounts for 70% of the DRC's exports. “By providing a national operator with competitive financing, this new issue contributes directly to boosting regional economic activity and investor confidence while stimulating local savings through attractive financial products,” the bank said in a press statement.
GAB
In the ongoing battle to take control of the Manono lithium project, Australian mining company AVZ has secured the support of China's Suzhou CATH Energy Technologies (CATH). On January 8, 2025, AVZ announced that it had obtained a $20 million facility from CATH to finance its working capital requirements and operations over the next 12 months, including efforts related to the project dispute with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government.
The new agreement has allowed AVZ to waive the $15 million it previously secured from Locke Capital, a litigation financing specialist. AVZ has used the money to support its legal actions surrounding the Manono project.
The new facility is part of a revised partnership between AVZ and CATH, established in 2021 for developing Manono. By maintaining its partnership with AVZ, CATH aims to secure a portion of Manono's lithium production. The revised agreement allows CATH to purchase up to 100% of uncommitted production volumes until a five-year period expires or any funds advanced for project development costs are repaid. Afterward, CATH's purchase rights will be reduced to its economic interest in the joint venture. Additionally, subject to obtaining mining rights for Manono, CATH can acquire a 30.5% indirect interest in the project by paying AVZ $259.25 million.
This new deal bolsters the AVZ-CATH partnership. In parallel, Zijin Mining plans to bring the lithium deposit into production by 2026, according to Bloomberg which relayed a 7 November 2024 mail from Zijin. The Chinese firm plans this despite complaints surrounding the mining permit granted by the DRC.
In its January 8 release, AVZ did not specify when it hopes to regain control of the Manono project or comment on Zijin's production plans. Over the past few years, the Australian firm has initiated various legal proceedings to contest its eviction from the project, but the outcome remains uncertain.
Nevertheless, AVZ and Zijin’s interest in Manono highlights the project’s potential to make the DRC one of Africa’s top lithium producers. According to previous estimates by AVZ, the Manono deposit contains at least 400 million tonnes of mineral resources grading 1.65% lithium.
This article was initially published in French by Emiliano Tossou
Ivanhoe Mines produced 437,061 tonnes of copper concentrate at its Kamoa-Kakula project in 2024, up 12% year-on-year. The Canadian firm disclosed the figure on January 8, 2025, saying it aligns with its revised forecast range of 425,000-450,000 tonnes. This year, Ivanhoe Mines aims to produce 520,000 to 580,000 tonnes of copper concentrate.
Last June, it commissioned a third concentrator at Kamoa-Kakula, boosting the project’s installed capacity to 600,000 tonnes per year. This new concentrator should support Ivanhoe Mines’ ambitions. It expects to surpass 600,000 tonnes of copper concentrate production by 2026.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) became the world’s second-largest copper producer in 2023, surpassing Peru. While Kamoa-Kakula played a major role in this shift, the Congolese government is concerned about the sales process for copper produced at the complex. The authorities recently argued that the negotiated prices do not reflect “competitive market rates”. During a council of ministers held last October, the government suggested state involvement in selecting buyers for Kamoa's production.
Kamoa-Kakula is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines (39.6%), Zijin Mining Group (39.6%), Crystal River (0.8%), and the Congolese state (20%).
This article was initially published in French by Emiliano Tossou
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
The global demand for batteries stood at 850 GWh in 2023, up more than 40% year-on-year. The surge was mainly driven by electric vehicle (EV) sales, which account for nearly 90% of total demand. According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) EV Battery Supply Chain Sustainability report, demand should keep growing, quadrupling by 2030, and sevenfold by 2035 under a business-as-usual scenario.
However, global battery demand could rise ninefold if countries fulfill their climate commitments by 2035. This demand could increase twelvefold if the energy sector achieves carbon neutrality by 2050, as outlined in the IEA's Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario.
Hope
These optimistic forecasts for the battery market bode well for critical raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and graphite minerals essential for battery production that are abundantly found on the African continent. However, these markets are currently experiencing significant turbulence, marked by a sharp decline in prices.
For instance, cobalt prices have halved over the past two years due to oversupply. The Cobalt Institute anticipates a market surplus in 2025, which may keep prices at current levels. As of January 3, 2025, cobalt traded at $24,300 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange.
The lithium market is also facing challenges; lithium hydroxide prices have plummeted nearly 90% since late 2022. Fastmarkets reports that lithium spodumene prices fell over 84% between March 2023 and March 2024. Kent Masters, CEO of Albemarle the world's leading lithium producer predicts that "prices will stay low for longer."
The graphite market recorded the same trend, with Fastmarkets indicating a 33.43% drop in prices in 2023, from $530-$575 per tonne in December that year to $450 per tonne in October 2024 close to the all-time low of $430 per tonne set in 2020.
The current decline in critical mineral prices poses significant challenges for African economies. Countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which produces 70% of the world's cobalt; Zimbabwe and Mali, key players in lithium; and Mozambique and Madagascar, important sources of graphite, are relying on these resources to drive economic growth. However, there are rising concerns about the viability of these countries’s strategies and potential delays in developing new production sites.
Challenges
During the previous electric vehicle boom that led to soaring prices for critical metals, many African nations were outpaced by competitors particularly Chinese firms that flooded markets with their production. To capitalize on the anticipated global energy transition by 2030 or 2035, these countries must adopt a different approach by addressing several key challenges: improving regulatory frameworks, strengthening infrastructure, optimizing business climates, and developing skills within the workforce.
According to a report from the Future Minerals Forum, a $5.4 trillion investment will be needed by 2035 to support the global energy transition in the critical minerals sector. Africa is strategically positioned to play a vital role here. The report describes the continent as a "credible alternative to China's dominance in refining and processing critical minerals," thanks to its abundant resources and proximity to European and Asian markets.
Louis-Nino Kansoun, Ecofin Agency
Between January and September 2024, Kibali Gold exported 19.55 t of gold from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This output was valued at $1.02 billion, according to the DRC’s Technical Cell for Mining Coordination and Planning (CTCPM). Bankable found that such a record hadn’t been achieved since 2020, value-wise. Volume-wise, the company exported less gold in 2024, compared to 2023, over the period reviewed. Meanwhile, the Kibali mine produced 4.91 t of gold.
In the first nine months of 2024, gold sold for $1,630.65 per ounce on average, against $1,315.31 in 2023, over the same period, thus 24% up year-on-year. Kibali Gold’s top stakeholders–Barrick Gold and AngloGold Ashanti–tried to take advantage of the surge in gold prices.
While Kibali Gold's performance is commendable, it highlights a persistent imbalance in gold exports from the DRC. A comparison between the price per ounce exported by Kibali and the average annual price set by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) reveals a systematic discrepancy, with this gap reaching its highest level since 2021 in the first nine months of 2024. Additionally, artisanally produced gold, now centralized and marketed by DRC Gold Trading (formerly Primera Gold), is estimated at $2,100 per ounce.
Écart entre les prix de Kibali Gold et ceux du marché
Due to the lack of transparency surrounding Kibali's gold marketing processes, it is difficult to determine the reasons behind these price discrepancies. Financial reports often lack detailed information that would help clarify these differences. However, several hypotheses can be considered.
One possibility relates to sales methods. Unlike other players who sell raw gold directly to buyers, Kibali Gold may utilize forward sales agreements or specific marketing structures that could affect the final price.
Another possibility relates to costs associated with transporting gold to international markets. The Kibali mine is located approximately 220 kilometers east of Isiro, Haut-Uele's provincial capital, which lacks a modern airport and reliable road infrastructure. Transportation options are limited to the Ugandan border town of Arua, about 150 kilometers to the west, or the Kenyan port of Mombasa, which is 1,800 kilometers away.
These logistical challenges likely incur additional costs for transporting and securing gold, ultimately reducing net selling prices. According to Kibali executives, marketing costs for 2024 are anticipated to range between $740 and $820 per ounce an expense that could partially explain this year's observed price variance.
In a press release issued in November 2024, Kibali Gold executives emphasized their company's economic contributions to the DRC. They reported generating $5.4 billion since operations began, including $1.66 billion in taxes and royalties and $2.87 billion in contractual services. Kibali Gold is the DRC’s largest industrial gold producer.
Assuming an average lifespan of 11 years for the firm’s 10 permits listed in the Mining Cadastre database, Kibali Gold’s contribution stands at an estimated value of $509 million per year compared to an average annual export value of $911.18 million, with 90% benefiting major shareholders Barrick Gold and AngloGold Ashanti.
Georges Auréole Bamba
The electricity regulator (ARE) has granted Compagnie Minière Luisha (COMILU) eligible customer status. This allows the firm to have other power suppliers, besides the country’s power utility, the SNEL, for three years. The visa was officially granted on December 23, 2024, by Sandrine Mubenga Ngalula, General Manager of ARE. COMILU is 78% owned by China Railways Group Limited.
The eligible customer status is governed by the Electricity Act and a ministerial order issued by the Minister of Water and Electricity. It can be granted to any consumer that meets one of two criteria: having an installed capacity of over one megawatt or an annual consumption exceeding 5 gigawatt-hours for non-residential electricity use.
For now, it is unknown if COMILU will leverage its new status to import electricity or buy power from China Railway’s subsidiaries.
China Railway Group has been operating in the DRC since 2008 and is also involved in the Sicomines joint venture, a strategic partnership with the DRC. The company's subsidiaries, particularly COMILU, focus on producing copper cathodes; this requires substantial and consistent energy. However, the SNEL often struggles to meet these energy demands. As a result, mining operators often have to produce or import the needed input.
At a recent Makutano business forum that gathered experts from the DRC and beyond, the SNEL's director noted that mining companies spend nearly a billion dollars annually to compensate for the State’s energy deficits.
The sum represents a significant loss of opportunity for local electricity production in the DRC and is expected to continue rising. In 2024, 11 other companies, including major players such as Kamoa Copper (operated by Ivanhoe Mines), also received eligible customer status. This development allows these companies to diversify their electricity suppliers further, potentially reducing demand for locally generated electricity.
Georges Auréole Bamba
On December 28, President Tshisekedi inaugurated the renovated Muya Hospital in Mbuji-Mayi, in the Eastern Kasaï province. The facility now features ten buildings and 100 installed beds, along with specialized services in pediatrics, gynecology, surgery (including a modern operating room), and intensive care.
President Tshisekedi visited Mbuji-Mayi with Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba Mulanga. On the occasion, Kamba Mulanga announced new initiatives to foster business opportunities in the medical equipment and materials sector. "I have instructed my team to equip the hospital with additional beds and proceed with the installation of X-ray equipment, to improve the quality of care provided," the minister posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The official also revealed plans to launch a feasibility study for constructing an operating theater. The new beds will complement 15 units already donated for this purpose. Investment in the health sector remains a priority for the DRC, which has an estimated population of 120 million.
These initiatives follow recent investments by the government in healthcare. These fall under a health development plan targeting universal health coverage.
However, households continue to shoulder a significant portion of overall public health expenditures. According to a 2023 report by USAID, households spent $914 million on health in 2021 outpacing donor contributions of $802 million and government contributions of $329.5 million.
At the local level, the Eastern Kasaï province has included several health-related projects in its 2023-2027 development plan. This program outlines plans for building and equipping health centers, as well as setting up key facilities like laboratories and operating theaters, in addition to supplying vital medicines.
The recent developments signal a commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure and services in the DRC, paving the way for improved health outcomes and greater investment opportunities in the sector.
Georges Auréole Bamba
At the current rate of emissions reduction, mining companies risk falling 40% short of the target needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2030, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. This alarming prediction comes from a new report published by dss+, following a survey of 52 mining companies that highlights a significant gap between their stated ambitions and actual progress.
The report, titled "Decarbonising Mining in an Era of Growing Demand for Critical Metals and Minerals," reveals that mining companies reduced their emissions at an average annual rate of just 2% between 2018 and 2021. This rate, while still relevant, is far below the 4.5% reduction required to meet the sector's climate targets (see chart below).
The report attributes the gap to several structural factors, including declining ore quality, which forces operators to intensify extraction efforts and increases energy demands for ventilation and cooling in deep mines. Additionally, monitoring emissions particularly Scope 3 emissions generated downstream from transportation or processing remains a challenge. These emissions can account for up to 60% of the sector's total greenhouse gas output but are often overlooked in companies' decarbonization strategies. Executives interviewed by dss+ also cited fragmented decision-making across sites and insufficient emissions monitoring as obstacles to effective decarbonization, alongside policies that lack incentives for investment in clean technologies.
The dss+ report is not the first to raise concerns about the mining sector's slow progress in decarbonization. Data from some companies indicate stagnant results in emissions reduction. For instance, Rio Tinto reported Scope 1 and 2 emissions of 32.6 megatonnes in 2023, slightly down from 32.7 megatonnes in 2022 (adjusted for acquisitions). BHP also noted a slight increase in emissions, rising from 9.1 megatonnes in 2023 to 9.2 megatonnes in fiscal 2024.
Other organizations have highlighted the paradox facing the industry: it must meet the rising demand for critical metals necessary for the energy transition while simultaneously reducing its emissions. In a report titled "The Net Zero Roadmap to 2050," the International Finance Corporation (IFC) projected that copper and nickel production would need to increase by 200-300% by 2050 to meet climate targets, yet CO₂ emissions from their value chains could double.
In response to these challenges, solutions are emerging to accelerate decarbonization efforts and meet climate expectations. dss+ advocates for greater transparency in annual emissions reporting, emphasizing the need to account for Scope 3 emissions more effectively. Additionally, they recommend developing structured decarbonization plans and improving energy supply. The firm suggests adopting internal carbon pricing a concept where companies assign a virtual cost to CO₂ emissions, motivating them to reduce this cost through optimized financial decisions.
These proposals align with those suggested by the IFC, which aims to reduce emissions from the copper and nickel sectors by 90% by 2050 through transformative changes in their value chains. The IFC recommends adopting renewable energy sources, electrifying equipment, optimizing processes for energy efficiency, and leveraging automation and digitization to minimize inefficiencies. Proactive management of residual emissions through carbon offsets and CO₂ capture technologies is also crucial, along with fostering collaboration among companies, governments, and investors.
There is currently little evidence suggesting that these proposals are practically feasible or enough to transform an industry that is vital for the global energy transition but continues to emit excessive greenhouse gases. According to multiple sources, including Globaldata and McKinsey, the mining sector is one of the highest-emitting industries globally, accounting for between 4% and 7% of direct greenhouse gas emissions. When including downstream Scope 3 emissions, this figure rises significantly—up to 28% or approximately 19,440 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Successfully decarbonizing the mining sector will ultimately depend on the commitment of industry players and political leaders to overcome existing structural and financial barriers.
Louis-Nino Kansoun, Ecofin Agency
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has completed phase I of its Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) project. Nine cities have been connected under this phase, according to the interministerial committee steering the project. The committee presented the progress to Communication Minister, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, on December 19.
Under the next phase of the project, 46 more cities will be covered. This phase should cost around $60 million.
The interministerial committee has opted for a restricted call for tenders to select a technical partner for this stage. During the December 19 meeting, a roadmap was established to guide subsequent phases and ensure effective execution while avoiding logistical and financial challenges. The full completion of this project is expected to yield significant economic benefits.
"Besides benefits in terms of image quality, reduced operating costs, and an expanded TV offering, DTT can improve TV audience measurement. Thanks to the statistics provided by set-top boxes, advertisers will be able to identify which TV channels are really being watched and refine their communication and marketing strategies accordingly," explained Servan Ahougnon, a journalist specializing in communication at Ecofin Agency.
A dynamic and modern audiovisual sector is likely to attract foreign investment, encouraging technology transfer and the growth of new businesses. DTT could stimulate local content production and foster the emergence of job-creating creative industries such as audiovisual production and directing.
According to the Global System Operators' Association (GSMA), migrating television to digital will free up significant spectrum for mobile services in the 470-862 MHz frequency range. These frequencies are suitable for long-distance communications, enabling mobile operators to extend network coverage to rural areas while offering lower costs to consumers, thereby promoting greater mobile penetration.
This would also allow telecom operators to deploy high-speed technologies like 4G or 5G more easily and offer new services such as interactive TV, mobile TV, and video-on-demand. These should generate increased financial revenues for both telecom operators and the government. Since its launch in 2018, DTT has generated $82 million in revenue for the public treasury, and the government aims to increase these earnings.
This article was initially published in French by Muriel Edjo
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will finance the 64 MW Katende dam project alone. This was announced on December 20, in Kinshasa, during the 27th Council of Ministers.
The government decided to self-finance the project due to a stalemate over funding from India's Exim Bank. "The Democratic Republic of Congo, having found that the financing option with funds from Exim Bank of India does not allow it to restart in the immediate future and complete within a reasonable time this project, financing from the country's own funds was identified, after several exchanges within the government, as the best option. This is because its advantages are better adapted and more flexible than procedures linked to loan agreements," states the minutes from the Council of Ministers.
However, the Katende project is not included in the government’s public investment program for 2025-2027. Additionally, no timeline has been announced for when work will resume.
The project’s cost was originally estimated at $280 million, with funding split between $168 million from India and the remainder from the DRC. After years of negotiations, India announced in June 2023 that it would open a $180 million credit line to support the project. However, only a portion of these funds has been released thus far.
To ensure timely debt repayment for this project, the DRC plans to make the first 16 megawatts of power available within 24 months to serve Kananga, Mbuji-Mayi, and Tshimbulu. "At the time of execution of phases 2 (32 MW) and 3 (16 MW), the operation of the 16 megawatts of phase 1 will generate revenues to service the debt, taking into account the two-year grace period granted by the lenders," according to government statements.
First announced in 1960, the Katende Dam project recorded several interruptions. The project includes building a 130 km power line between Kananga and Mbuji-Mayi, and a 30 km line connecting Kananga to Bukonde. Work began in 2011 under the Indian company LPCC but was suspended in 2015 following a decision by New Delhi. An audit in 2021 revealed that only 55% of civil works were completed and that while 75% of electrical equipment had been acquired, much of it might not be usable. Some materials have been damaged or stripped of components while stored across various towns in the country, complicating any potential resumption of work.
The planned resumption is expected to create thousands of jobs, stimulate economic activity, and improve living conditions for residents in Kasai through increased access to electricity.
This article was initially published in French by Olivier de Souza
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
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The Congolese Ministry of Agriculture (DR Congo) will provide farmers 1,062 tractors by the end of March 2025. In a recent press conference, Agriculture Minister, Grégoire Mutshail Mutomb, said the project would make farmers’ work easier, women’s especially, and help boost the country’s overall agricultural output.
"Our agriculture is at the bottom of the scale; some women still use hoes. We have distributed 260,000 hoes nationwide and are thinking about the mechanization of agriculture in our country," said Mutshail, quoted by Agence Congolaise de Presse. Further details on the project, such as the equipment supplier or final beneficiaries, are yet to be provided.
Greater Mechanization
This last announcement adds to two more unveiled this year, related to agricultural mechanization. In his annual address to the nation, President Tshisekedi said various equipment was being distributed, including 350 tractors. In July, Equity BCDC, a subsidiary of Kenyan group Equity Holdings, signed an agreement with dealer Congo Motors to enable farmers to acquire tractors on a leasing basis.
In line with its ambition to diversify the Congolese economy, the DRC government has chosen agriculture as a target sector, mainly because the supply of essential products, like maize, fails to meet the existing demand. There is no consolidated record of previous efforts to provide agricultural machinery, making it challenging to assess their impact on productivity.
In addition to mechanization, the sector suffers from chronic isolation. A study by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on local development plans for 145 territories revealed that only about 20% of the population mostly farmers have access to passable roads. The authorities also plan to improve 38,000 kilometers of agricultural feeder roads.
The increased mechanization could generate at least 4,240 jobs in the country since each agricultural machine requires an operator, a maintenance manager, a spare parts supplier, and an administrative and financial manager to coordinate operations.
A Well-Supported Vision
Private players are also getting involved in harnessing green resources. In October 2024, a $1 billion project led by the Mole Group, based in Switzerland, and headed by a Congolese native, was announced. According to the Minister of Agriculture, this and other projects will be structured as public-private partnerships.
Several donors are also active in the sector, including the African Development Bank, which plans to create over 50,000 jobs in agriculture. With Africa's largest area of arable land, the DRC aims not only for self-sufficiency but also to enhance its status as an exporter of agricultural products by diversifying beyond cocoa and coffee into crops such as soybeans and chilies.