Category: Economy

### Kinshasa: When the roads becoming barricades at mobility

In Kinshasa, daily mobility is hampered by a decaying road network, transforming each journey into a real obstacle course. While the rare arteries practicable, such as the Boulevard on June 30, struggle to meet the needs of a growing population of 15 million inhabitants, the situation requires an immediate reaction. The consequences of this degradation are not limited to traffic jams: they affect the economy, health and social cohesion.

In a world where cities like Kigali show the way through effective governance and infrastructure investments, Kinshasa must rethink his approach. Innovative solutions, such as the use of follow -up technologies, crowdfunding and sustainable urban planning, are essential to transform the roads into real paths. The renovation of infrastructure is not just a question of asphalt, but a vital issue for the future of millions of Congolese. It is time for everyone to become an actor in the change.

** MUBI: Between hope and challenges of a Renaissance **

In Mubi, a small locality of the Utunda group, the return to a certain normality echoes painful memories of violence and devastation. Recent conflicts have left deep scars on the local economy, with traders fighting to rebuild their activities in the middle of galloping inflation. Although emerging resilience efforts, such as the return of displaced people and the desire to revive business, structural obstacles, such as economic isolation due to telecommunications failures, make the situation precarious. To guarantee a stable future, support strategies must be implemented, combining financial aid and restoration of essential services. Mubi, emblematic of a renaissance potential, must navigate between challenges and hopes with the support of local and international initiatives. This quest for resilience is not only a necessity for Mubi, but a crucial issue for the whole of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

** Burial of avian flu: health, economic issues and the call for sustainable agriculture **

Since the beginning of 2023, avian flu has ravaged breeding in the United States, causing euthanasia of nearly 30 million laying hens and causing an egg shortage with alarming economic consequences. The Secretary of Health has proposed a controversial approach: let the virus circulate to select the most resilient animals. This strategy, which evokes agrarian methods of natural selection, arouses concerns about its ramifications on public health and the risk of pathogenic changes. At the same time, the outbreak of egg prices weighs on low -income households, exacerbating social inequalities. However, this crisis could offer the opportunity to rethink our food model, favoring sustainable and diverse farming practices. The necessary transformation of our food systems could thus emerge as a constructive response to this worrying situation.

** DRC GOLD TRADING SA: A revolution in progress for gold in Maniema **

On March 21, the announcement of the establishment of DRC Gold Trading SA in Maniema aroused a momentum in a province rich in gold but so far under-exploited. With a potential of almost a tonne of craft gold per year, the Maniema faces a disturbing paradox: a production of only 0.31 tonnes in 2019 and no activity between 2020 and 2023. The presence of DRC Gold Trading SA could mark a decisive turning point in this dynamic, ensuring the traceability of artisanal gold and by promoting a resilient local economy.

Under the supervision of Amisi Mudjanahery, the company undertakes to establish a transparent purchase circuit in partnership with the RAWBANK, thus aimed at reducing intermediaries and to improve profitability for small producers. By promoting responsible exploitation, DRC Gold Trading could become an inclusive economic model, also attacking social and environmental issues.

For this initiative to truly transform Maniema into a dynamic golden hub, local authorities and players in the sector will have to collaborate effectively. Although the path still seems to be long towards a significant contribution to the country’s gold exports, this new era could mark the start of sustainable development, combining economic growth and integrity in an often complex mining sector.

### South Africa at the crossroads: reflections on the ban on cannabic products

South Africa, often perceived as a model of progressive reforms on the continent, faces a major challenge: the recent ban by the Ministry of Health of all food products containing cannabis, including cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp. This decision, made without public consultation, highlights a lack of vision and communication within the government, contradicting the promises of President Cyril Ramaphosa in terms of economic growth and innovation.

The economic impact of this measure is alarming, while the hemp market could reach a billion dollars. This approach, focused on health concerns, neglects the many opportunities that the cannabis industry could offer, from food to sustainable biomaterials.

To notify a positive change, a reconsideration of policies is necessary. By promoting enlightened regulations and inspired by other countries that have succeeded in transition to beneficial practices, South Africa has the potential to become a leader in this promising sector. The time has come for the government to bet on the future and fully explore the advantages of this precious resource.

** Mining universalism: a self -sufficiency strategy full of paradoxes **

On March 20, 2025, Donald Trump announced a significant increase in the domestic production of strategic minerals, such as uranium and copper, to ensure national security of the United States. This self -sufficiency policy raises questions about economic isolationism and the persistent dependence of foreign resources, especially those of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While Trump advocates an interior strategy, he is looking for partnerships with Kinshasa, illustrating a striking ambivalence. The DRC, rich in rare vital minerals for the technological industry, pleads for an operating model which promotes local transformation instead of a simple export of raw materials. This context also raises environmental concerns, making it essential to the integration of ecological standards in mining development. The future of this geopolitical dynamic promises challenges and opportunities for producing countries, while the balance between sustainable exploitation and international relations is reassessed.

** Banana Port: an ongoing revolution for maritime trade in Central Africa **

Africa is experiencing a major economic transformation, and the Banana Port construction project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may well be the catalyst. This new infrastructure, developed with the collaboration of Mota-Engil, aims to reduce the dependence of the DRC vis-à-vis foreign ports while facilitating the export of the country’s wealth. With an initial capacity of 450,000 containers per year, the port could significantly lower logistics costs, which currently weigh up to 60% on African companies.

Beyond the figures, Banana Port represents a promise of jobs and prosperity for sectors such as agriculture and industry. However, this ambitious project must also take into account the challenges of sustainability and preservation of the environment. By placing the DRC as a strategic logistics hub in the continental African free trade agreement, Banana Port could redefine central trade and encourage regional economic integration.

With a promising future, this port could become the symbol of a booming Africa, provided they combine economic development, environmental preservation and social inclusion. The eyes of the world are now riveted on this transformation which could benefit the whole continent.

** Harish Jagtani’s arrest: a revealer of the faults of the Congolese system **

The arrest of Harish Jagtani, an influential entrepreneur in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is not limited to a simple criminal case, but raises deep questions on the functioning of the country’s economic and political system. Jagtani, owner of several major companies, embodies the complexity of an environment where the lines between legality and illegality are often blurred. This arrest, marked by a spectacular military deployment, could be interpreted as a warning message to the economic actors in place, emphasizing the persistent distrust that characterizes relations between the government and the investors. In a context where the DRC is already classified among the most difficult countries to do business, the current situation encourages reflection on the need for deep reforms aimed at establishing transparency and eradicating corruption. The Jagtani affair could thus become a catalyst for a change that is both necessary and urgent, opening the way to a more equitable and lasting economy.

### The French Defense Industry Revolution at the heart of the war in Ukraine

Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, the French defense industry has experienced a major transformation, revealing its strategic and economic potential. With 220,000 jobs at stake and an increase in military spending planned in Europe, French companies adapt their productions to meet growing demand, particularly in terms of drones and advanced technologies. However, this rise in power raises essential ethical questions: how to guarantee that the increase in military capacities does not lead to climbing conflicts? The industry is therefore confronted with a double challenge: strengthening security while integrating ethical and social values. At the dawn of this new era, France must harmonize innovation and responsibility to build a collective defense respectful of human rights. It is on this delicate thread that the future of security is attended by Europe.

** The uncertain future of Russian diamonds: Alrosa at the crossroads **

The decision of Alrosa, the Russian giant of diamond exploitation, to suspend the extraction of non -profitable deposits marks a strategic turning point in an economic and geopolitical context in full turbulence. Provide a reduced production of 29 million carats in 2024 against 34.6 million the previous year raised questions about the future of the company and the maintenance of employment in an already weakened sector. In response to the sanctions of the G7 countries, Alrosa is forced to redirect its exports to non -traditional markets, thus redefining the dynamics of the supply chain.

However, a glimmer of hope is looming on the horizon: a possible resumption of global demand and an ethical dynamic of the consumer could offer Alrosa a chance to reinvent themselves. By integrating sustainability and traceability values, the company can not only straighten its position on the market but also transform its perception. At the crossroads, Alrosa will have to be agility to sail in a constantly evolving landscape and redefine the standards of the diamond industry.