From July 7 to 8, 2025, Daniel Mukoko Samba, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy, led a high-level economic mission to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). This initiative is part of the Congolese government’s strategy to diversify its economic partnerships and structurally transform its mining and energy sectors.
At the end of this mission, two non-disclosure agreements were signed between NG9 Holding, a leading Emirati multisector conglomerate, and two Congolese companies:
– KIPAY Energy, carrying an ambitious hydroelectric and solar project with a total capacity of 166 megawatts in the province of Haut-Katanga. The project aims to address the national energy deficit, primarily for the needs of the mining sector, while also serving local communities.
– BUENASSA, the initiator of the first copper and cobalt refinery project in the DRC. This innovative initiative aims to locally transform strategic minerals to capture more added value in the national territory.
Discussions highlighted the synergies between Congolese industrial ambitions and the investment capacities of the Emirates. NG9 Holding has an energy fund of $500 million, as well as credit lines exceeding one billion dollars, enabling it to support these structuring projects. Other reference funders have also been identified.
The signed confidentiality agreements will allow for secure exchange of sensitive information, including technical data and detailed studies. These exchanges will lead to the development of formal agreements formalizing collaboration objectives and facilitating the coordinated establishment of financial structures.
This mission illustrates the commitment of the Congolese government to transform the national economy by establishing sustainable strategic partnerships with international reference investors. It benefited from the active support of the DRC’s diplomatic representation in the Emirates, led by Ambassador Marie Ndjeka Opombo.
A affirmed industrial and geopolitical strategy
The Buenassa project is part of a mining sovereignty approach. While the DRC is among the largest global producers of copper and cobalt, most of these minerals are currently exported in raw form. Establishing a refinery on Congolese soil would allow for local transformation, creating added value and strengthening national control over the value chain.
This project aligns with the strategy of “Congolization” of resources, which aims to strengthen local mastery of natural resources. It also contributes to the emergence of the DRC as a key player in global energy transition, as copper and cobalt are essential for battery manufacturing, renewable energies, and electrical infrastructure.
Geopolitically, the project offers a strategic alternative to China’s current dominance, which refines over 70% of global cobalt. It helps reposition the DRC as an autonomous and essential player in global supply chains.
Furthermore, Saudi partners are showing growing interest in partnering with the project, paving the way for enhanced South-South cooperation, which is more balanced than traditional North-South models.
A lever for regional economic transformation
Beyond geopolitical issues, the Buenassa refinery offers a powerful lever for local development in the Katanga region. In addition to infrastructure, training, and job creation benefits, it could contribute to the stabilization of a historically strategic area marked by recurrent tensions.
The presence of a modern industrial facility also sends a positive signal to markets and investors, strengthening the credibility of the DRC as a destination for long-term direct industrial investments.
