Browsing: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains crucial in meeting global demand due to its usage in electric vehicle batteries and electronic devices.

However, the industry is marred by grave human rights abuses, including unsafe working conditions and child labour. Efforts must be made to reform mining practices and address the challenges associated with informal or artisanal mining sites.…

The challenge facing the EAC is not the lack of natural resources but the lack of high-tech industries. China is a perfect example of a country that transformed from an agricultural civilisation to an industrial one. More than 850 million individuals have been lifted out of poverty due to recent economic growth brought about by China’s industrialisation.

Without involvement in the fourth industrial revolution, the East African Community would never be able to escape its state of backwardness. Therefore, the DRC will catalyse industrial transformation inside the East African Community, Africa and the world.…

As part of improving regional infrastructure works, DRC President Tshisekedi is looking to improve its power output through its Grand Inga Dam project but has been facing resistance, especially from the West.

DRC plans to build the Grand Inga Dam, which, when complete, would be the world’s largest hydropower project. With the capacity of producing 88,000 plus Mega Watts, Grand Inga Dam would make DRC “the heart of the world’s clean energy production system.”

The Grand Inga Dam is expected to rival the power supply of major world economies like Spain; in fact, the dam’s power output would surpass the power output of all of south of Europe combined.…

The scramble for, partition and exploitation of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s vast natural resources by both regional and international players, have for centuries robbed the country of its peace.

Since the dark colonial era of King Leopold II when the DRC was known as the Belgian Congo in the 19th and 20th centuries respectively, the country has incessantly fought to just survive. The so-called ‘resource-curse’, has left citizens to bear the brunt of the ever-emerging conflicts.

The achievement of peace in the DR Congo has hitherto seemed an elusive dream, but could the incumbent President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, be the torchbearer that finally brings peace to the Congo?

Unlike his predecessor, Joseph Kabila, Tshisekedi has made the achievement of peace in DRC top of his agenda, since taking over leadership in 2019, pegging his legacy to this quest. Why is the attainment of peace so important to Tshisekedi? Not …

The overall gross domestic product of the EAC in 2019 was 193 billion dollars. The inclusion of the DRC might either stand as an opportunity or a burden. Who knows? Only time will tell.

The President of the FEC-Goma, for his own part, according to Bercky Chirimwami, “We are eager to enhance the capacity of businesspeople in the DRC to successfully do business in the EAC Common Market.” He advised businessmen in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to search for opportunities in international commerce and investments.

During the Business Meeting, participants from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s business community gained insight into the possibilities presented by the EAC Common Market. In order to facilitate more B2B networking, the EABC entered into a partnership with the FEC-Goma to implement awareness campaigns on EAC procedures, the African Due Diligence Platform (Mansa), and the East African Trade and Investment Mission to …

• Rwandan Nationals travelling to Angola will not be required to have visas after the two countries have signed a new agreement
• On Friday, April 15, 2022, Rwanda and Angola signed nine cooperation agreements in different sectors
• “The government of Rwanda is committed to cementing bilateral cooperation with the government of Angola and working together in addressing regional, continental and global challenges that affect our countries,”

Travelling to Angola from Rwanda has been made easy! Rwandan Nationals travelling to Angola will not be required to have visas after the two countries have signed a new agreement to facilitate such.

On Friday, April 15, 2022, Rwanda and Angola signed nine cooperation agreements in different sectors, including:

• Agriculture and livestock
• Local administration
• Health
• Mineral resources
• Oil and gas
• Trade and investment
• Double taxation avoidance
• Extradition 
• legal assistance and transfer of convicted persons.

The discussions took place in Kigali, Rwanda, with a high-level delegation …

The Tanzania Cereals and Other produce Board (CPB) reported that the grain stores in Juba and Lubumbashi were already experiencing a vibrant business environment. They also expected the Mombasa facility to outperform the two.

According to the 2019 Statistics, Tanzania exported more than 97,000 tonnes of maize. This factor opened the country to the opportunity of launching its grain surplus scheme with the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT).

SAGCOT was established in 2010 to create a transformed and economically viable agricultural sector in Tanzania that protects food security, enhances environmental sustainability, and improves livelihoods. The Agricultural growth corridor uses 350,000 hectares in the fertile southern islands of Tanzania to grow maize, wheat, paddy, sorghum, cassava, millet, beans, bananas and sweet potatoes.…

Kenyan-based low-cost carrier Jambojet has announced plans to begin operations to North Kivu Capital, Goma in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as to the Kenyan coastal island of Lamu.

In a statement, the carrier says the move is part of its expansion program, at a time when the coronavirus pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the aviation sector in the region as well as across the world.

The company said its inaugural flight to Goma will be on 10th September 2021, starting with 2 frequencies weekly, with flights expected to grow to 4 frequencies weekly, flying on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

The airline announced that it will be flying to Lamu 4 times weekly, starting 15th September 2021.

Commenting on the announcement, Jambojet Board of Directors Chairman Vincent Rague said the expansion plan has been in motion for 3 years.

“Three years ago, …

Will the entry of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the East Africa Community (EAC) help stabilise the political situation in the country? Well,  the country is unstable, with civil unrest in some parts, the risks which must be assessed before admitting the country into the regional bloc.

With DRC President Felix Tshishekedi on Friday officiating the launch of the EAC verification mission, the country is inching closer to joining the community.

The DRC head of state was presented with the EAC flag by the EAC Secretary-General Peter Mathuki to mark the unveiling of the mission as he launched it in Goma Eastern DRC.

President Tshishekedi hailed the progress made by the Community in its integration agenda, adding that DRC was committed to joining the EAC at the earliest opportunity.

Suitability of DRC

According to a statement from EAC, the verification mission which will conclude on July 4 will assess …

After spending the night outdoors following eruption of Mount Nyiragongo earlier Saturday, thousands of residents in Goma, a major city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have finally managed to get refuge in Rwanda.

After the eruption, the fleeing residents are said to have walked towards Rwanda but the boarders were closed at the time.

Initially, they are believed to have gone back to Goma and headed to an area north of the city, but Rwanda has now opened its borders to accommodate them.

According to Vincent Karega, the Rwandan ambassador to DRC who is stationed in Kinshasa, Rwanda had welcomed those fleeing the volcanic eruption.

He denied reports that the evacuees had been initially blocked from entering the Country.

“The Rwandan borders are open and the reception of our neighbours is taking place peacefully. There was no blockage whatsoever but rather the organisation of coordinated entries,” he said.…