The signing of agreements between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the European Union during the Global Gateway Forum marked an important step in the development of the Transport and Mining sectors in the DRC. This event was highlighted by the Congolese Prime Minister, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, who invited European private investors to accelerate the process of digital, energy and ecological transition in the country.
One of the agreements concerns the Lobito Corridor, a project that involves several stakeholders such as the United States, Angola and Zambia. Financial partners such as the African Fund Corporation and the African Development Bank are also involved. This corridor should bring significant transformations, both in terms of the added value chain of minerals and in terms of commerce and tourism.
Another agreement concerns the value added chain of critical materials such as cobalt, nickel and lithium in the DRC. The Congolese government hopes that this agreement will materialize in accordance with the plan established by the Ministry of Mines and Industry, in order to promote the transformation of these materials on Congolese soil.
The Global Gateway Forum also addressed other key issues, such as digital transport and internet access, clean and renewable energy, and the importance of minerals in the energy transition. As the DRC is rich in minerals such as cobalt, nickel and lithium, it is considered a major player in this field.
The Congolese government presented its partnership model with Zambia, aimed at developing a special economic zone in the DRC for the production of batteries and electric vehicles. They also expressed their request for support from the European Union and the international community to combat armed conflicts in eastern DRC, which are partly linked to the illicit exploitation of minerals such as coltan.
Ultimately, the signing of these agreements between the DRC and the European Union opens new perspectives for economic development and the transformation of the mining industry in the DRC. This represents an important opportunity for the country to leverage its natural resources and promote sustainable and inclusive growth. The implementation of these agreements will require strong commitment from all parties involved and will pave the way for new opportunities for investment and international cooperation.