Title: Strategic partnerships between the European Union, the DRC and Zambia: a new impetus for raw materials value chains
Introduction :
As part of the “Global Gateway” forum held in Brussels, the European Union (EU) signed strategic partnerships on the value chains of “critical” raw materials with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia. These agreements aim to develop sustainable value chains and boost transport connectivity. This initiative is part of the EU’s desire to foster structural transformation and promote inclusive economic development. In this article, we will look at these partnerships and their potential impact on the economies of the DRC and Zambia.
Development of sustainable value chains:
The Memoranda of Understanding signed between the EU, DRC and Zambia establish close cooperation in five key areas. First of all, it is about the integration of sustainable value chains for raw materials, in order to guarantee responsible and environmentally friendly exploitation. Then, these agreements provide for the mobilization of funds for the development of the infrastructure necessary for the establishment of these value chains. There is also talk of cooperation aimed at achieving sustainable and responsible production, in particular by promoting practices that respect environmental and social standards. Furthermore, these partnerships encourage cooperation in research and innovation, in order to promote the emergence of technological solutions for more efficient exploitation of raw materials. Finally, they provide for capacity building to enforce the relevant rules, particularly in terms of governance and transparency.
The Lobito corridor: a lever for regional and global trade:
As part of these partnerships, the EU, DRC, Zambia, Angola, the African Development Bank and the Africa Finance Corporation also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the development of the Lobito Corridor. This transport corridor will connect the south of the DRC and the north-western part of Zambia to regional and global trade markets via the port of Lobito in Angola. Once fully operational, this corridor will improve export opportunities for the DRC, Zambia and Angola, boost the movement of goods and promote the mobility of citizens. There are also plans to invest in digital access and agricultural value chains to strengthen regional competitiveness.
Prospects for economic development and employment:
These strategic partnerships offer new economic development prospects for the DRC and Zambia, by promoting economic diversification and the creation of quality local jobs.. By supporting the development of sustainable value chains, they will help reduce these countries’ dependence on raw material exports and encourage local resource processing. Additionally, the development of the Lobito corridor will open new business opportunities for local businesses, while strengthening regional and international trade.
Conclusion :
Strategic partnerships between the EU, DRC and Zambia in the area of raw materials value chains offer real prospects for sustainable economic development. By promoting economic diversification, local processing of resources and strengthening transport infrastructure, these agreements will help create quality local jobs and stimulate regional and global trade. This is an important step for the DRC and Zambia in their quest for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.