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On March 24, 2025, Republican Congressman Christopher Henry Smith introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to block cobalt refined in China from entering the U.S. market. Smith claims that cobalt processed in China is tied to child and forced labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As of March 30, 2025, the H.R.2310 bill was not online.
In December 2023, Smith proposed a similar measure that failed to advance before the November 2024 elections. That earlier bill, which the Ecofin Agency consulted, aimed to sever U.S. ties with supply chains linked to cobalt mined under exploitative conditions in the DRC and refined in China.
Known as the H.R. 6909 bill or the "Cobalt Restriction Act," the draft law targets reports of poor working conditions and human rights abuses in DRC mines. It seeks to ban products containing cobalt refined in China unless proven not to originate from the DRC.
The U.S. has previously flagged Congolese cobalt for its labor issues. In September 2024, the Department of Labor added it to its list of products made with child labor. However, this latest bill comes amid worsening U.S.-China relations, with China controlling over 80% of global refined cobalt supplies.
This proposal sparks a crucial question: does it truly aim to combat child labor, or does it mainly seek to limit China's dominance over Congolese cobalt? Besides refining, China also controls several cobalt mines in the DRC. Since 2023, the Chinese group CMOC has become the world’s top cobalt producer thanks to its Tenke Fungurume and Kisanfu mines in the DRC.
While independent reports confirm child labor in artisanal mining, accounting for 15-30% of DRC’s cobalt production, most production is managed by industrial operators.
This article was initially published in French by Emiliano Tossou
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
At the United Nations Security Council meeting on March 27, 2025, the United States called for the immediate reopening of Goma International Airport in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a critical lifeline for humanitarian and economic operations in North Kivu province. Acting U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We demand that the M23 (...) take the necessary steps to reopen the airport without delay.”
Goma airport has been under M23 rebel control since January, following their seizure of Goma amid intensified fighting between the group—backed by Rwanda—and Congolese government forces. The airport’s closure has paralyzed relief efforts for millions of displaced civilians and disrupted vital supply chains for medical aid, food, and other necessities. Humanitarian organizations, including the UN and European Union, have repeatedly urged its reopening to establish a humanitarian corridor.
According to reports from Radio France Internationale (RFI), M23 has initiated demining operations at the airport, a crucial step toward resuming operations. However, significant obstacles remain: explosives must be fully neutralized to ensure air safety, the control tower must be restored, and baggage handling systems reactivated. Additionally, questions persist about who will oversee airport management. Collaboration between Kinshasa and M23 appears unlikely given ongoing hostilities, leaving the United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) as a potential mediator or operator.
Dorothy Shea further demanded that M23 cease obstructing MONUSCO’s activities: “We demand that the M23 immediately cease obstructing Monusco operations.” Her statement underscores growing international frustration with the group’s actions amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.
The diplomatic context surrounding Goma’s airport is complicated by broader tensions in the region. Earlier in March, Ronny Jackson—a U.S. Congressman reportedly acting as an emissary for former President Donald Trump—visited several Great Lakes nations. While Jackson reaffirmed U.S. support for the DRC’s territorial integrity and advocated for a regional security framework, his comments sparked mixed reactions among regional leaders.
Speaking before a committee in the United States, Jackson reaffirmed the inviolability of the DRC's borders. However, he felt that a military solution would not end the conflict. He and other speakers at the session called for the establishment of a regional framework guaranteeing the security and economic interests of all players in the zone, while calling on Kinshasa to strengthen its governance.
This article was initially published in French by Georges Auréole Bamba
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
United Bank for Africa (UBA) DRC, the Congolese subsidiary of the eponymous Lagos-based bank, posted a net profit of 21 billion naira ($13.6 million) in 2024, up from 4.3 billion naira ($4.3 million) in 2023. According to our sources, the Congolese branch contributed five times more to the group’s profit between 2023 and 2024.
This remarkable growth was driven by a sharp rise in operating income, which soared to 22.8 billion naira, up from 4.3 billion naira the previous year. UBA RDC expanded its traditional lending activities while aggressively entering the debt securities market, investing approximately $76.7 million in this segment last year.
The subsidiary’s performance also benefited from macroeconomic factors, particularly the depreciation of the naira against the U.S. dollar, as nearly 91% of banking assets in the DRC are dollar-denominated. Adjusted for exchange rate fluctuations, UBA RDC’s profit growth remains impressive at 216%, underscoring its operational efficiency despite currency volatility.
While UBA DRC has emerged as an important growth driver for the Nigerian banking giant, it is not yet among the group’s most strategic subsidiaries. Countries like Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Senegal, and Congo Brazzaville contribute more to UBA’s overall profits. Moreover, UBA RDC remains a relatively small player in the Congolese banking sector, prompting the bank to launch an ambitious five-year strategic plan (2024–2028) to scale its operations.
The plan includes expanding its branch network from three locations in 2024 to 21 by 2028 and increasing ATMs across key regions. It also targets mobilizing $1.8 billion in deposits by the end of the period—up from $269 million in 2023—positioning UBA RDC for long-term growth. As part of this strategy, the bank recently opened a new branch in Matadi, focusing on import-export activities that have proven successful in other markets like Cameroon.
Georges Auréole Bamba
Rio Tinto, the Australian mining behemoth, is setting its sights on Africa's lithium reserves as it seeks to bolster its position in the global supply chain for this critical battery metal. Citing sources close to the matter, Bloomberg reported on March 28, 2025, that the company is in preliminary talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) regarding the potential development of the southern portion of the Manono lithium deposit.
This move comes on the heels of Rio Tinto's recent $6.7 billion acquisition of Arcadium Lithium, which significantly expanded its lithium portfolio across Argentina, the United States, and Asia.
The company is also advancing its lithium projects, including the Rincon development in Argentina and in Jadar, Serbia.
The Manono deposit, considered one of the world's largest untapped lithium resources, boasts estimated mineral resources of at least 400 million tonnes. Rio Tinto's interest in this African asset marks a strategic pivot, following its 2024 partnership with Rwanda to explore strategic mineral deposits, including lithium.
Rio Tinto is not the only giant eyeing Manono's riches. KoBold Metals, a California-based firm backed by tech luminaries Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, recently proposed a development plan for the southern section of the deposit.
These overtures come amid ongoing legal disputes involving AVZ Minerals, the current permit holder for the southern portion, and state-owned Cominière over the alleged illegal partitioning of the Manono mining permit.
The northern section of Manono is already under development by Manono Lithium SAS, a joint venture between Cominière and China's Zijin Mining Group.
Rio Tinto's renewed focus on lithium aligns with long-term market projections. Despite recent price declines due to temporary oversupply, analysts anticipate a market reversal driven by the global energy transition. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts a lithium deficit exceeding 150,000 tonnes by 2030, underscoring the strategic importance of securing future supply sources.
This article was initially published in French by Aurel Sèdjro Houenou (Ecofin Agency)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Angola is no longer mediating the talks to resolve the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Luanda announced its withdrawal on March 24, 2025, explaining that President João Lourenço, who also chairs the African Union (AU), had to "more comprehensively focus on the general priorities established by the continental organization.”
Angola’s mediation efforts, initiated in 2022, had sought to broker peace between the DRC government and M23 rebels, who are widely accused of receiving support from Rwanda. In its recent statement, Luanda noted that its multiple attempts to bring conflicting parties to the table were unfruitful. "Angola has always believed that there should be, in parallel with this process, direct negotiations between the DRC government and the M23. In this regard, it worked towards this and was able to obtain the consent of both parties for the first round of these negotiations to take place in Luanda on March 18 of the current year, an action newly aborted in extremis by a set of factors, some of which were external and extraneous to the African processes already underway," the communiqué reads.
The presidency stated that consultations with the AU Commission would determine a new mediator to replace Angola. Meanwhile, Qatar has stepped up its involvement, hosting a surprise meeting between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame last week. The two leaders issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to an immediate ceasefire, but this pledge has yet to translate into tangible results as violence continues to escalate.
Commenting on the stalled progress, Téte António, Angola’s foreign minister, told the local media he was disappointed while reiterating that African solutions must remain central to resolving African conflicts. “All actions linked to the efforts of the United Nations or other international organizations are welcome as long as they are duly concerted with African mediators,” the Angolan presidency added in the recent note.
Online, many people disapproved of Qatar’s involvement in the matter, deeming that a non-African nation should not mediate the peace talks.
Since January, M23 rebels have launched an aggressive offensive in eastern DRC, capturing strategic towns such as Goma and Bukavu and advancing into mineral-rich areas like Walikale. Their control over these regions has deepened the humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and international efforts struggling to end the conflict.
On Monday, March 24, Kinshasa began consultations for a potential government of national unity, raising questions about whether M23 representatives will be included.
This article was initially published in French by Moutiou Adjibi Nourou (Ecofin Agency)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
DRC Gold Trading SA, the only company allowed to export artisanal gold in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), recently opened a new office in Maniema province. On the opening day, March 21, the company’s head office manager, Amisi Mudjanahery, reassured mining cooperatives, traders, and licensed buyers of the firm’s capacity to purchase all artisanal gold in the region. Mudjanahery emphasized that this capability is backed by a partnership with Rawbank, the DRC’s leading financial institution.
“The company is there to collect all gold from artisanal and small-scale mining. This gold must be traced. Together with Rawbank, DRC Gold Trading SA would like to reassure all its suppliers that it will buy all the gold supplied to it in cash,” he stated.
Mudjanahery did not elaborate on the specifics of the partnership with Rawbank or how the bank intends to help the state-owned company fulfill its mandate.
In 2024, DRC Gold Trading aimed to export 12 tonnes of gold but managed only 1.75 tonnes. The shortfall was attributed to multiple factors, including operational halts during part of the year and uncompetitive prices offered by the company compared to those on the black market. Additionally, banking regulations restricting daily cash transactions have further complicated its operations.
Despite these challenges, optimism remains high among local stakeholders. David Kikuni, provincial president of the Maniema Gold Traders’ Corporation, expressed confidence that the new buying office would curb the exodus of gold production from the region while strengthening traceability and sector governance.
Maniema’s artisanal gold production has historically been hard to track. According to partial data from the Cellule Technique de Coordination et de Planification Minière (CTCPM), artisanal output in the first quarter of 2024 was just 5.77 kilograms. By comparison, the province produced 9.87 kilograms in the first half of 2022, accounting for 10.18% of national production that semester. In its annual report covering 2024, the CTCPM does not mention Maniema.
This article was initially written in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Since January 1, 2025, individuals or entities found guilty of obstructing transparency and traceability in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) mining sector now face a staggering $4.3 million fine. Outlined in Decision No. CAMI/DG/003/2024, the penalty was issued by the Directorate General of the Mining Cadastre (CAMI) on December 16, 2024. It is the most severe enforcement measure under the country’s amended Mining Code. Despite its significance, the decision has received little public attention.
The adjustment stems from Article 375 of the 2018 Mining Code. The code mandates annual revisions of fines in foreign currency. “To maintain their value, these adjustments require input from the Central Bank of Congo and approval by CAMI’s leadership”. Since the revised Mining Code came into effect in 2018, fines for violations have been increased at least four times. The latest hike is particularly striking, multiplying the previous threshold of $429,122 by ten. Earlier fines had already reached $1.23 million in 2021 and $1.07 million in 2022.
The new $4.3 million penalty is part of a broader effort to enforce stricter compliance in the mining sector, which accounts for over 95% of the DRC’s export revenues. While this fine targets violations related to transparency and traceability key provisions aimed at curbing smuggling and illicit trade penalties for at least a dozen other mining offenses have also been doubled, quadrupled, or increased tenfold since the start of 2025.
The measures coincide with heightened government efforts to combat resource plundering by M23 rebels, who recently invaded the DRC, with Rwanda’s help. The rebels currently occupy strategic areas, including Rubaya’s mineral-rich mines and cities like Goma and Bukavu.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of determination from the mining administration to strengthen oversight elsewhere in the country. The recent inauguration of a Mining Registry building in Katanga another key mining region signals an effort to bring regulatory authorities closer to industry players and ensure compliance with the law.
Updated list of fines for violations of mining regulations in the DRC
(Decision CAMI/DG/003/2024 - in force since January 1, 2025)
- Obstruction of transparency and traceability in the mining industry: USD 4,291,222.57 (previously USD 429,122.24)
- Fraud and looting of natural mineral resources: USD 2,145,611.26 (versus USD 1,072,805.65)
- Illicit activities:USD 1,072,805.65 (vs. USD 42,912.25)
- Illicit purchase and sale of mineral substances: USD 128,736.67 (versus USD 42,912.25)
- Theft and concealment of mineral substances: USD 85,824.43 (versus USD 21,456.11)
- Embezzlement of mineral substances: 85 824.43 USD (versus 21 456.11 USD)
- Illicit possession of mineral substances: USD 85,824.43 (compared with USD 8,582.43)
- Illicit transport of mineral substances: USD 85,824.43 (versus USD 8,582.43)
- Facilitation of detour of mineral substances: USD 42,912.25 (vs. USD 21,456.11)
- Violations of human rights: USD 42,912.25 (new offence)
- Violation of health and safety regulations: USD 42,912.25 (versus USD 21,456.11)
- Destruction, degradation or fraudulent/malicious damage: USD 42,912.25 (versus USD 21,456.11)
- Obstructing the activities of the Mining Administration: USD 42,912.25 (versus USD 8,582.43)
- Infringement of ministerial or provincial governor decrees: USD 42,912.25 (compared with USD 4,291.24)
- Insults or violence towards Mining Administration officials: 21,456.11 USD (compared with 4,291.24 USD)
- Refusal to communicate a change of address: 21,456.11 USD (new offence)
- Corruption of public officials: 4,291.24 USD (new offence)
This article was initially published in French by Georges Auréole Bamba
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
DRC: EAC and SADC Appoint Five Former Presidents to Facilitate Resolution of Conflict with M3 Rebels
On March 24, 2025, leaders of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held their second joint summit addressing the ongoing crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The meeting, which took place online, is a new milestone towards bringing peace to the region. The Kenyan and Zimbabwean Presidents, William Ruto and Emmerson Mnangagwa, co-chaired the roundtable. Ruto and Mnangagwa respectively chair the EAC and SADC.
At the summit's conclusion, five former heads of state were appointed as facilitators for the peace process: Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Kgalema Motlanthe (South Africa), Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic), and Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia). They were picked based on gender, regional, and linguistic representation criteria, according to an official communiqué. This panel will take over dialogue efforts previously led by Angolan President João Lourenço, who stepped down to focus on continental priorities as Angola holds the African Union presidency.
Escalating Conflict
Eastern DRC has been facing a conflict with M3 rebels since January. The invaders, backed by Rwanda, have captured strategic cities like Goma and Bukavu. Despite multiple regional and international initiatives, the conflict continues.
Last week, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame met in Qatar. According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, the two leaders “reaffirmed commitments to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” echoing resolutions from the first joint EAC-SADC summit held in February in Dar es Salaam.
The March 24 summit also adopted a roadmap outlining measures for sustainable peace and security in eastern DRC. While details remain undisclosed, participants urged swift implementation of these actions and directed the co-chairs to organize a briefing with the facilitators within a week, in collaboration with the African Union.
This article was initially published in French by Charlène N’dimon(Ecofin Agency)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
The Transforme project, a World Bank-backed project that supports entrepreneurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), will help Salama K.N Group set up its SME center in Bunia, Ituri province. On March 24, 2025, Alexis Mangala, the national coordinator of the project’s coordination unit (UCP), and Célestin Maombi Bahati, Salama’s managing director, formalized this partnership through a signed agreement.
According to Salama K.N Group, its SME center will provide small and medium-sized enterprises with essential infrastructure and services for fostering their growth. The facility will include utilities like electricity and drinking water, workspaces, production units, parking areas, and shared equipment such as packaging facilities. It will also offer centralized support services, including access to financing through microfinance institutions or banks, accounting and tax management, marketing assistance, and human resources support. Additionally, a one-stop tax shop will be established to simplify administrative procedures for entrepreneurs.
Under the agreement, the Transforme project will fund key components of the center's development. This includes rehabilitating the site, installing basic infrastructure and equipment, conducting technical studies, and providing subsidies to support 40 SMEs setting up operations at the center. While the total cost of this support has not been disclosed, the investment underscores the World Bank’s commitment to fostering private sector growth in the DRC.
Salama K.N Group has already secured a three-hectare plot in Kisoke village within Irumu territory for the project. According to Célestin Maombi Bahati, the site is equipped with a modern hangar, two tin sheds, a 500 kVA transformer for power supply, and two water wells capable of producing 160 m³ per day. Of the 50 SMEs the center plans to accommodate, 11 have already signed contracts with Salama. Three are currently operational on-site: one produces medical serums at a capacity of over 8,000 bottles per day, another manufactures corn flour, and a third produces liquid soap.
Bunia falls within the operational scope of the Transforme project, which has maintained an office there since June 2023. The initiative is also supporting informal businesses through its Entrepreneurship Promotion Training Program (FOPE), aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial, financial, and managerial skills.
Timothée Manoke (intern)
DP World entrusted Mota-Engil, a Portuguese firm, with the project to build the Banana deepwater port in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). DP World announced this in a press release on March 20, 2025.
Several international media outlets reported that Mota-Engil revealed that its subsidiary, Mota-Engil Africa, signed a €230 million ($250 million) agreement for the first phase of development. This phase includes constructing a 600-meter quay with an 18-meter draft capable of handling the world’s largest vessels, a 30-hectare storage area, and an annual capacity of 450,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).
Construction has already made progress on some components. Expobéton reported that by June 2023, 88% of the protective breakwater had been completed. This may explain why the current contract value for Mota-Engil’s scope is lower than the initial estimates of $350 million for this phase.
The project is being developed as part of a public-private partnership between DP World and the Congolese government. Under the agreement, initially signed in March 2018 and revised in December 2021, DP World provides financing and technical expertise while the DRC government provides land, supporting infrastructure like the Banana-Matadi road, tax exemptions, and partial funding. The overall cost of the port is estimated at $1.3 billion. The concession agreement between the Emirati firm and the Congolese group is valid for 30 years, extendable to 50 years.
To develop the project, the two partners have set up a joint venture, which DP World controls with a 70% stake. The Congolese government holds the remaining 30%.
A world-class port
Work on the Banana deepwater port project began in 2022 but was significantly delayed before halting in 2024 due to "technical and financial disputes," according to Expobéton. A breakthrough came in September 2024 when Deputy Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba led a meeting that resolved the impasse, allowing construction to resume the following month. However, the current status of the project remains unclear, and the completion of its first phase, originally scheduled for 2025, is still uncertain.
Following the recent signing of a $250 million contract with Mota-Engil for the port's development, DP World Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem reaffirmed his company’s commitment to delivering "world-class infrastructure." He stated, "By partnering with Mota-Engil, we guarantee that this world-class infrastructure will be built to the highest standards, promoting economic growth and creating new opportunities for the Congolese population." Carlos Mota Santos, President of Mota-Engil, highlighted that the agreement "demonstrates the recognition and confidence that one of the world's largest port operators places in Mota-Engil."
Mota-Engil brings extensive experience to the project, including its operations at ports along Lake Malawi and its involvement in Angola’s Lobito rail corridor. However, some observers view the Lobito corridor, which facilitates Congolese mineral exports through Angola, as a potential competitor to Banana Port's future role as a logistics hub.
Strategically vital for the DRC, Banana Port will provide the country with its first direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, reducing reliance on neighboring ports such as Pointe-Noire (Republic of Congo) and Matadi. The port is expected to integrate the DRC into major global shipping routes while boosting trade sovereignty.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko and Timothée Manoke (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
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The insurance market in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is on track to surpass $1 billion within the next decade. The forecast was made on March 17, 2025, by Alain Kanyinda, Managing Director of the DRC’s insurance watchdog, the ARCA. Kanyinda disclosed the figure on March 17, 2025, in a speech marking the 10th anniversary of the Insurance Code. On the occasion, he noted that with a population of over 100 million, the DRC could potentially grow its market to $5 billion if insurance density increases from less than $1 per capita to $5.
The ARCA plans to leverage several strategies, including stricter regulations, raising public awareness about insurance products, and combating premium evasion. The country has a penetration rate of 0.71% of GDP, underscoring the sector’s untapped potential.
Digitalization is also identified as a key growth driver. In this regard, Vincent Mwepu, President of the Association des Sociétés d'Assurance et de Réassurance de la RDC (ASAR), emphasized that selling insurance products via mobile phones and other digital tools could extend coverage across rural and underserved areas. However, this approach requires updates to the Insurance Code, with discussions underway to adapt the legal framework.
Since its liberalization in 2015 and full implementation in 2019, the DRC’s insurance sector has experienced remarkable growth. According to the ARCA’s MD, sales have surged from $70 million in 2019 to over $350 million by 2024, driven by product diversification beyond motor insurance into fire, health, and credit insurance. Today, the market boasts 48 licensed operators, including 10 insurers, 36 brokers, and two pan-African reinsurers.
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Augustin Kibassa Maliba, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Minister of Telecommunications, met with Starlink representatives a week ago. With the representatives, Maliba explored opportunities for expanding internet connectivity in the DRC. The meeting occurred in Washington, on March 18, 2025, a year after the DRC’s telecom regulator banned Starlink from operating in Congolese airspace. At the time, the watchdog had warned that “any connection, sale or use of this equipment is considered a violation of the laws in force and exposes offenders to sanctions”.
Last week’s meeting focused on deploying Starlink’s satellite technology to address the country’s vast connectivity gaps. Nearly 70% of the DRC’s population remains offline, particularly in rural areas. According to a press release from the ministry, Kibassa Maliba emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure and extending broadband access to schools, health centers, and remote communities. He also underscored the importance of this collaboration for both digital development and national security.
Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, showcased its expertise in satellite-based internet services, highlighting its successes across Africa. The company specializes in providing high-speed broadband in regions where traditional infrastructure such as fiber optics and mobile networks is either limited or nonexistent.
After the recent meeting, both sides agreed to take administrative steps to advance the partnership, including drafting specifications and obtaining operating licenses. A pilot project is expected to launch soon to evaluate the technical feasibility and social impact of Starlink’s services in the DRC.
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
KoBold Metals seeks to acquire part of the Manono lithium project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to multiple sources, in January 2025, KoBold sent a proposal to President Félix Tshisekedi’s chief of staff. The company, which uses artificial intelligence for mining exploration, is financed by Bezos and Gates.
Since 2023, AVZ has been challenging the DRC’s decision to revoke its rights to Manono and divide the permit. The government awarded part of the deposit to China's Zijin Mining. Recently, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) ordered Cominière to pay €39.1 million in penalties for failing to comply with injunctions but did not resolve ownership disputes.
KoBold has reportedly proposed a compromise: AVZ would receive compensation for dropping its claims, Zijin would retain control of the northern section of Manono, and KoBold would develop the southern portion. The U.S. company also suggested that minority shares be held directly by the Congolese state rather than Cominière.
None of the involved parties AVZ, Zijin Mining, or Cominière has officially commented on KoBold’s offer. Meanwhile, Suzhou CATH Energy Technologies, AVZ's Chinese partner, has provided a $20 million credit facility to support AVZ in its legal fight in January 2025.
On March 14, AVZ confirmed efforts to secure U.S. support for developing Manono but declined to disclose details about discussions or potential partners.
KoBold’s move reflects broader geopolitical stakes. Reports suggest that
Washington and Kinshasa are discussing a minerals-for-military-support deal. The U.S. aims to secure access to critical minerals like lithium while assisting the DRC in fighting rebel forces in Kivu.
KoBold is no stranger to Africa’s mining sector. The company uses artificial intelligence to search for metals that are critical to the energy transition. In 2022, it gained attention by investing in a Zambian copper deposit. CEO Kurt House has called the DRC “the best place in the world” for sourcing materials essential to energy transition technologies.
Emiliano Tossou
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is among the top 15 global markets with the highest anticipated subscriber growth between 2025 and 2030. The Global System Operators Association (GSMA) ranked the DRC in a report titled The Mobile Economy 2025.
According to the document, released a few weeks ago, the DRC should welcome 15 million new mobile internet subscribers during this period, placing it 12th globally and 5th in Africa. By 2030, the country should thus have over 45 million mobile internet subscribers.
While the report does not specify the drivers behind these forecasts, the DRC’s expanding digital infrastructure and increasing demand for connectivity are likely contributing factors. As of mid-2024, data from the Congolese telecom regulator indicated that the DRC had 59.7 million cell phone subscribers and 30.7 million mobile internet users, representing a population of approximately 95.2 million.
The mobile internet market in the DRC remains competitive. Vodacom leads in subscriber share with 36.78%, followed by Airtel (28.79%), Orange (28.33%), and Africell (6.10%). However, Airtel dominates revenue generation with a 36.19% share, ahead of Orange (32.72%), Vodacom (27.12%), and Africell (3.92%).
This dynamic is shifting. Africell and Orange saw their data services revenue grow by 14.26% and 11.2% respectively, between Q1 and Q2 of 2024, while Vodacom and Airtel saw slight declines–2.25% and 0.39%.
Growth in Africa
Strategic partnerships are also reshaping the sector’s landscape. In January 2025, Vodacom and French operator Orange announced plans to jointly build and operate 2,000 solar-powered base stations over six years to improve rural connectivity and expand access to telecommunications and mobile financial services. Meanwhile, Africell has emerged as a key player in U.S.-backed efforts to develop telecommunications along the Lobito corridor, securing funding for its expansion in Angola and the DRC.
Globally, GSMA projects nearly 800 million new mobile internet subscribers by 2030, bringing total users to 5.5 billion—64% of the world’s population. Africa will account for approximately 35% of this growth, with Nigeria leading the continent with an anticipated 38 million new subscribers, followed by Ethiopia (19 million), Angola (18 million), Egypt (15 million), the DRC (15 million), and Tanzania (11 million). The Asia-Pacific region will drive nearly 40% of global growth, led by India with a staggering 141 million new subscribers. China, Pakistan, and Indonesia should follow with 45 million, 39 million, and 38 million new subscribers expected.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko and Timothée Manoke (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho