Congo News
US–China minerals battle: Is Africa at the table or on the menu?
As Washington moves to counter China’s grip on Africa’s minerals, the continent faces a defining test: negotiate powerfully – or be reduced to a pawn in a superpower supply-chain war. African leaders return to the US capital next week facing a stark geopolitical reality: mineral wealth alone no longer guarantees influence.
DR Congo eyes $1.5bn Eurobond return as IMF backing tests investor confidence
Kinshasa plans first major Eurobond after a decade-long absence Low debt levels contrast with conflict and credit rating risks KINSHASA, CONGO – The Democratic Republic of Congo is preparing a return to international capital markets with a planned $1.5 billion Eurobond, a move officials say could mark a turning point for the country’s financial standing. The proposed issuance would
Ivanhoe Mines posts record DRC output as smelter cuts costs and lifts margins
Record copper and zinc output confirms 2025 guidance Smelter integration slashes logistics costs, lifts margins KINSHASA, CONGO – Ivanhoe Mines has set a production record in the DRC, strengthening its position in tight global copper and zinc markets as it ramps up on-site smelting. Ivanhoe said output from its Kamoa-Kakula copper complex and Kipushi zinc mine reached record levels
$15mn solar project to power DR Congo’s key mining sites
$15mn solar project targets power shortages in key mining basin Governance, skills and land risks cloud replication prospects KINSHASA, CONGO – A $15mn photovoltaic solar project is under development to power one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s main mining basins, marking a significant shift toward cleaner and more reliable energy. The mining sector, a pillar of the Congolese
Can copper and lithium reposition Africa in the 2026 global trade battle?
As global powers compete for clean-energy minerals, Africa’s copper and lithium could redefine trade, diplomacy and development – if governments turn resources into leverage. Africa’s copper belts and lithium fields are rapidly shifting from peripheral assets to strategic instruments in global trade. As the world accelerates towards electrification, copper and lithium have emerged as two of the most consequential commodities
Congo’s Gécamines seals $1bn copper deal, boosts global leverage
Gécamines buys 100,000 tons of copper, bypassing intermediaries Deal strengthens DRC’s leverage in US-bound critical minerals supply KINSHASA, DR CONGO – State-owned miner Gécamines has directly purchased 100,000 tons of copper, a landmark move aimed at asserting the Democratic Republic of Congo’s control over global mineral trade. Gécamines said the copper – representing about 20 percent of Tenke Fungurume’s
Central Africa to raise $7bn on debt markets in 2026
CEMAC states target nearly $7bn in 2026 debt issuance BEAC tightening and weak reserves force borrowing restraint YAOUNDÉ, CAMEROON – Central African governments plan to raise nearly $7 billion on regional debt markets in 2026, sharply slowing borrowing as tighter monetary policy and fragile external buffers squeeze financing options. The six members of the Communauté économique et monétaire de
IMF backs DR Congo with $442mn as Eurobond plans take shape
IMF approves $442mn tranche, lifting programme disbursements Congo eyes debut Eurobond amid mining-led growth KINSHASA, CONGO – The International Monetary Fund approved a fresh $442mn disbursement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, shoring up external support as the government prepares a return to global debt markets. People familiar with the matter said Citibank has been designated to advise
SADC cross-border payments hit record $15.7bn as regional trade flows accelerate
SADC-RTGS posts record monthly settlement value in October 2025 Rising large-ticket payments signal stronger regional trade confidence Southern Africa’s main cross-border payment system recorded its strongest month on record in October, processing transactions worth about $15.7 billion as regional trade and financial flows accelerated. The Southern African Development Community’s real-time gross settlement system (SADC-RTGS) handled 170,164 cross-border transactions in