The results of the pre-feasibility study on the development of the electric battery industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been made public by the Arise firm. This study, presented in New York before several experts and investors, confirms the feasibility of a vast project to manufacture electric batteries on Congolese soil.
According to this study, the investment cost to develop this project is estimated at around 30 billion US dollars. Although provisional, these results open new perspectives for the development of the electric battery industry in the DRC.
The Congolese Minister of Industry, Julien Paluku Kahongya, welcomed this progress, declaring that it was a great day for the Democratic Republic of Congo. He stressed that this study would make it possible to mobilize partners interested in the project, not only in the battery industry, but also in energy and infrastructure.
The study’s projections indicate that this project could generate nearly 7,000 billion US dollars by 2040. It would also create around 40,000 direct jobs and more than 160,000 indirect jobs in the DRC.
By locally processing the raw materials used in the manufacture of batteries, the project aims to increase Africa’s added value. Currently, African economies capture only 3% of the market value of raw materials, while this study demonstrates that it is possible to achieve a level of transformation of between 30 and 40%.
The electric battery precursor factory project in the DRC is an initiative launched two years ago by the country, with the participation of Zambia. It aims to make Africa a driving force in the fight against climate change, economic emergence and shared prosperity with other continents.
This study marks an important step in the realization of this ambitious project and opens numerous opportunities for the economic development of the DRC and Africa as a whole. It shows that the continent has the potential to become a major player in the electric battery industry, contributing to the transition to more sustainable and environmentally friendly modes of transport.