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Youths gathering in Goma, eastern DRC, on the occasion of the 10th ICGLR Regional Multifunction Youth Forum (Ph. MONUSCO)
Africa, Congo, DRC

The DRC’s Demographic Trends – Powerhouse of Central Africa

Aug 26, 2025 by source 0 Comments #Demographics, #DRC, #Population

Demographic Engine

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has one of the world’s fastest-growing populations. The UN puts the 2025 population at ~112.8 million, with an unusually young age structure: roughly 46% are under 15, and population would double in ~22 years if current growth persisted. The median age is about 15–16 years—among the world’s lowest. (United Nations Population Fund, DataReportal – Global Digital Insights)

Fertility remains high by global standards—nearly six births per woman on UN measures—which, combined with improving survival and urbanization, will keep the youth bulge large for decades. (UN WPP 2024 cites the DRC among the highest-fertility countries.) (World Population Prospects, World Bank Open Data)

Urbanization: where the demand concentrates

Urbanization is both rapid and durable. Around 48% of Congolese lived in cities at the start of 2024, and multiple UN/UN-Habitat briefs project a majority-urban DRC by mid-century—~60% urban by 2050 with a national population near 145 million. Kinshasa is already a megacity (~18 Million) and is frequently cited as potentially the continent’s largest in the 2030s, concentrating purchasing power in retail, housing, transport, and services. (DataReportal – Global Digital Insights, UN-Habitat, World Bank)

Education & human capital: progress with big gaps

School participation has improved since the mid-2010s, but the pipeline narrows after primary grades. Primary completion reached roughly 79% for girls and 86% for boys (2021) on UNESCO’s UIS data. Yet attendance drops at higher levels: UNICEF reports ~78% primary attendance, ~32% lower-secondary, and ~34% upper-secondary (latest country dashboard). Adult literacy has trended upward to about 80% by 2022 on World Bank/UNESCO series. The picture is progress—but with sharp transition losses at the secondary stage that matter for tomorrow’s workforce quality and earnings. (iicba.unesco.org, UNICEF DATA, FRED)

Digital rails: the on-ramp to modern consumption

Connectivity is expanding quickly, creating distribution channels for everything from FMCG to finance and media. As of early 2025, the DRC had ~60.3 million active mobile connections and ~34 million internet users (≈31% penetration). Mobile money has surged too: the telecom regulator tallied 23.1 million mobile-money users in Q1 2024 (up from 18.2m a year earlier), deepening the rails for e-commerce, micro-credit, and bill payments. (DataReportal – Global Digital Insights, BANKABLE)

Today’s spending base—and why it can grow

Household consumption already drives the bulk of measured activity—~63% of GDP in 2023—typical of lower-income, commodity-exposed economies where private consumption is the core demand anchor. Still, purchasing power remains extremely constrained: the World Bank estimates ~73.5% of people lived under the $2.15/day extreme-poverty line in 2024, and recurrent conflict and displacement have elevated food insecurity (28 million facing acute hunger in early 2025). These headwinds shape the kinds of products that win—affordable, sachet-sized, and value-first—but also underscore the upside as incomes rise and stability improves. (TheGlobalEconomy.com, World Bank, Reuters)

How the consumer market is likely to evolve (2025–2035)

1) Youth-driven mass market, then a thicker lower-middle. The next decade brings tens of millions of new consumers into cities and into first-time formal markets (banking, ID’d SIMs, formal retail). Expect rising spend per capita first on essentials (staples, hygiene, basic health, telecom/data), then on “next essentials” (education, off-grid energy, transport, housing improvements). Global models (World Data Lab) point to a rising African consumer class; the DRC is a later but large entrant given its scale and urbanization trajectory. (World Economic Forum)

2) Urban retail footprints deepen. More organized retail in Kinshasa/Lubumbashi/Goma, expansion of proximity formats (minimarts, kiosks with digital inventory/float), and FMCG route-to-market modernization (DMS, e-ordering). Logistics players that can bridge port-to-city and city-to-neighborhood gaps will capture outsized value. (Urbanization sources above.) (UN-Habitat)

3) Digital leapfrogging continues. Low-cost Android, expanding 4G (and selective 5G) coverage, plus mobile money rails will push formalization: tuition and utility payments, micro-savings, pay-as-you-go solar, and BNPL-style school/health financing. Fintech/telecom bundles will keep ARPUs rising even at low ticket sizes. (DataReportal – Global Digital Insights, BANKABLE)

4) Education as a growth category. Continued demand for private low-cost schools, tutoring, exam-prep, and TVET—especially ICT, construction, logistics, and basic healthcare—given the big drop-off from primary to secondary and employers’ skill gaps. Providers that prove learning gains at low cost will scale. (UNICEF DATA)

5) Housing & neighborhood services. Urban growth fuels materials (cement, roofing, paints), basic fixtures, and community-level water/sanitation. Bundled services (e.g., solar + appliance financing; water kiosks + digital payments) can address affordability and cash-flow volatility. (Urbanization and poverty sources.) (UN-Habitat, World Bank)

6) Media & entertainment. A super-young, mobile-first audience will keep demand rising for short-form video, streaming bundles, sports, music, and gaming at ultra-low price points (ad-supported, telco-bundled, or community Wi-Fi). (Digital adoption sources.) (DataReportal – Global Digital Insights)

What could accelerate (or slow) the upside

  • Stability and macro management. Inflation and conflict are the big swing factors; easing either expands real disposable income and investable footprints. (Reuters)
  • Secondary education & skills. Raising transition and completion rates (especially for girls) would compound productivity and lifetime earnings. (UNICEF DATA)
  • Infrastructure & regulation. Power, roads, urban planning, and a predictable rule-set (for payments, consumer protection, and competition) are critical to scale distribution and reduce end-user prices. (World Bank/urbanization sources.) (Open Knowledge Repository)

Bottom line

The DRC’s consumer story is scale + youth + urbanization + digital rails—tempered by low incomes and fragility today. Over the next decade, the “mass market” should broaden in the biggest cities first, with steady formalization via mobile money and low-cost connectivity. Companies that design for affordability, solve last-mile logistics, and invest in skills and trust will be best placed to grow with the market as education outcomes and incomes gradually improve. (DataReportal – Global Digital Insights, UNICEF DATA)

Kolwezi mine in the DRC
Africa, Congo, DRC, Lobito Corridor, Mining

Kolwezi, DRC – Mining in Motion

Aug 13, 2025 by source 0 Comments

Kolwezi, nestled in the heart of the DRC’s famed Katanga Copperbelt, remains a linchpin of global copper and cobalt production. Key industrial players include:

  • KOV (Kamoto Copper Company) — A major open-pit operation run by Glencore (75%) and Gécamines (25%), prized for its exceptionally high-grade copper ore.
  • Kolwezi Copper Mine — Operated by Zijin Mining, this major asset delivers roughly 120,000 tonnes of copper and 2,000 tonnes of cobalt annually.
  • Deziwa Mine, situated 35 km east of Kolwezi, is a large-scale copper-cobalt venture managed by China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group (51%) and Gécamines (49%). It holds estimated reserves of 4.6 million tonnes of copper and 420,000 tonnes of cobalt.
  • Pumpi Mine, another operational site about 70 km east, is a joint venture between China’s Wanbao Mining (75%), Morocco’s Managem (20%), and Gécamines (5%), producing both copper and cobalt.
  • Musonoi Mine, operating since the 1940s, remains active in extracting copper, cobalt, manganese, uranium, and rare mineral assemblages.

Resumption and Expansion of Activity

In May 2024, the DRC lifted a freeze on the COMMUS mine (controlled by Zijin) after radiation concerns were addressed, allowing full resumption of production—129,000 tons of copper and 2,200 tons of cobalt were produced in 2023.

Meanwhile, the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex is poised for renewed growth. As of June 2025, underground operations have resumed on the western side, with dewatering underway for eastern sections.

Kolwezi Tomorrow: Opportunities on the Horizon

A Surge in Foreign and Private Investment

Recent data shows that Congo attracted $130.7 million in exploration investment in 2024, more than any other African country—and now ranks 20th globally.

This demand reflects the exceptional ore grades and untapped economic potential of the Kolwezi region.

At the upcoming DRC Mining Week 2025, policymakers, investors, and innovators will converge to explore these transformative opportunities.

Infrastructure & Energy—Unlocking Growth

  • The Lobito Corridor rail project, backed by the U.S., EU, and G7, is set to link Kolwezi’s mining region directly to Angola’s Atlantic port—shortening export routes to the Western markets.
  • Meanwhile, the Kolwezi Solar Power Station, a proposed 100 MW solar plant, promises to modernize energy access and support industrial-scale mining with stable renewable power.

Employment & Economic Development

The mining sector—the DRC’s major employer—is projected to generate over 200,000 new direct jobs by 2030, particularly in Kolwezi and Lubumbashi regions. Such expansion promises meaningful economic uplift if matched with fair labor conditions.

A Closer Look: What Lies Ahead for Kolwezi

AreaCurrent SnapshotLooking Forward
Mining OperationsActive mines (KOV, Kolwezi, Deziwa, Pumpi, Musonoi)Kamoa-Kakula expansion, commodity resumption
Investment ClimateStrong Chinese presence, rising Western interestRecord exploration investment, DRC Mining Week spotlight
InfrastructureLimited localized connectivityLobito Corridor rail + solar energy development
Job MarketStable base of mining jobsUp to 200k new jobs by 2030
Power SupplyUnreliable electricity for miningSolar plant to unlock reliable energy access

Final Reflections

Kolwezi stands at a strategic inflection point. Its abundant copper and cobalt reserves continue to fuel global energy transitions, and growing international interest—especially in greenfield investment—could yield significant economic dividends. Infrastructure initiatives like the Lobito Corridor and solar energy rollout are key to sustaining this growth.

But the road ahead must be tread carefully. Ensuring transparency, enforcing living wages, protecting communities, and upholding environmental standards will determine whether Kolwezi’s mineral wealth catalyzes inclusive prosperity—or deepens existing inequities.

Africa, Angola

The Current Angolan Economic Picture

Jul 13, 2025 by source 0 Comments

Population (2025 est.): 39.0 million
GDP (Nominal 2024 est.): $113.3 billion ($2,884 per capita)
GDP (PPP 2023): $260.3 billion ($7,077 per capita)
Official Language: Portuguese
National Languages: Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo, Chokwe, Oshiwambo, Luchazi
Area: 1.246 million km² (22nd largest in Africa)

The Porto de Luanda is Angola’s largest, serving a growing city of over five million.

Natural Resources:

  • Petroleum (Angola is the top crude‑oil producer in sub‑Saharan Africa, ~50% of GDP and 90% of exports)
  • Diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, bauxite, uranium

Main Industries:

  • Oil & gas (dominated by Sonangol, Chevron, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Eni, BP)
  • Diamond mining
  • Iron ore and other mineral extraction
  • Basic manufacturing: cement, metal products, food & beverage processing, textiles, ship repair
  • Agriculture (cassava, bananas, maize, sweet potato, palm oil)
  • Fisheries (artisanal & commercial)

💡 Economic Opportunities for U.S. Companies & Investors

1. Energy & Oil‑Gas Services

  • Angola’s oil industry accounts for ~50% of GDP and ~90% of exports; U.S. majors (Chevron, ExxonMobil) already present .
  • The Lobito Corridor rail and related infrastructure (supported by DFC’s $553M loan) is opening access to oil, gas, and mineral-export pipelines

2. Infrastructure & Logistics

  • The Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor is a $10 billion-plus U.S.-backed railway project to connect the DRC/Zambia to Angola’s port for critical-mineral exports—prime for U.S. engineering, telecom, and construction firms

3. Agriculture & Food Security

  • Only ~3% of fertile land is cultivated, while food imports are high due to low self-sufficiency

4. Renewable Energy & Clean Tech

  • Angola aims to generate 73% of energy from clean sources by 2027
  • DFC funding in infrastructure can support U.S. firms in smart-grid, energy storage, and renewables.

5. Higher Education & Digital Infrastructure

  • A $150M World Bank + $50M Global Partnership for Education “TEST” project creates openings for U.S. tertiary education partnerships
  • U.S. support in digital infrastructure and telecom via State Dept supports investment in broadband, 5G rollout, and fintech .

6. Mining Diversification & Local Processing

  • With oil-dominated exports, diversifying into minerals (iron ore, copper) and encouraging local processing aligns with African value-chain trends
  • U.S. partners can develop secondary processing facilities and technical training hubs.

Angola stands at a pivotal moment: an oil-rich economy seeking to diversify via minerals, agriculture, clean energy, infrastructure, and digital sectors. U.S. investments backed by strategic engagement (like DFC funding and PGI support), combined with strong partnerships from Luanda’s government and reformist trajectory, position American companies well—but careful navigation of regulatory, governance, and market-concentration risks remains essential.

Uncategorized

The Current DRC Economic Picture

Jul 13, 2025 by source 0 Comments

Population (2025 est.): 112.8 million
GDP (Nominal 2024): $73.8 billion ($714 per capita)
GDP (PPP 2024): $160.2 billion (~$1,552 per capita)
Official Language: French
National Languages: Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba
Area: 2.35 million km² (2nd largest in Africa, right behind Algeria)

Natural Resources:

  • Cobalt (world’s leading producer, ~70% of global output)
  • Copper
  • Coltan (tantalum)
  • Diamonds
  • Gold
  • Tin
  • Lithium
  • Uranium
  • Timber
  • Hydropower potential (Congo River)

Main Industries:

  • Mining and mineral processing (cobalt, copper, diamonds, gold, coltan)
  • Agriculture (coffee, palm oil, rubber, cassava, maize)
  • Forestry
  • Cement and basic construction materials
  • Consumer goods and chemicals
  • Hydroelectric power

The DRC is rich in resources but historically underleveraged due to infrastructure gaps and governance challenges. With rising U.S. engagement, especially around critical minerals and energy, American businesses have a unique window to build long-term, responsible, and profitable ventures—especially in mining, energy, agri-processing, and infrastructure.

Africa, Congo, DRC

Business Opportunities in the DRC

Jul 13, 2025 by source 0 Comments #Business, #trade

Economic Opportunities for U.S. Companies & Investors

1. Critical Minerals & Mining Investment

  • The DRC holds ~80% of global cobalt and has significant copper, lithium, coltan, tin, and gold reserves.
  • A minerals-for-security deal is progressing, backed by U.S. involvement via the DFC and private-sector partnerships (e.g., KoBold Metals, Orion, Rio Tinto).
  • Opportunity for American firms to lead in ethically sourced and value-added processing, especially amid local moves to retain processing domestically.

2. Energy & Infrastructure

  • Vast hydroelectric potential from the Congo River and low electrification rates in rural areas .
  • U.S.–Africa Energy Forum highlights push for rural electrification and regional export schemes—ripe for U.S. tech and utility investment Energy Capital & Power.

3. Agriculture & Food Processing

  • With fertile land and agricultural staples like cassava, palm oil, rubber, coffee, and cocoa, there are large-scale farming and value-chain investing opportunities .
  • American agritech and food-processing companies can support modernization in plantation farming, storage, and logistics.

4. Security & Governance Partnerships

  • The East Congo region faces rebel instability (M23), but a recent peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda (June 2025) is a huge step forward toward peace and improving political and investment climates.
  • Holistic deals pairing security aid with private-sector projects may open doors for U.S. firms working in digital governance, risk management, and infrastructure security.

5. Sustainable Forestry & Ecotourism

  • The DRC’s Congo Basin rainforest is globally significant. Sustainable timber, carbon credits, and ecotourism are potential areas for U.S.-based ESG investors .

6. Value-Chain Development & Local Processing

  • Resource nationalism is growing: cobalt export bans in early 2025 and export-processing schemes encourage local refining .
  • U.S. companies can collaborate on creating processing hubs, industrial zones, and public-private partnerships. This provides value-addition, jobs, and tech transfer benefits.

Additionally, a new deepwater container port, The Port of Banana, is currently under construction and will soon dramatically streamline containerized shipments to and from the DRC.

Port of Banana in the DRC
Congo, DRC, Shipping

DRC getting new deep water container port

Jul 13, 2025 by source 0 Comments #Port, #Shipping, #trade

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will soon have its cargo capacity significantly upgraded, which will streamline all aspects of international containerized trade and cargo handling in the country.

DP World has announced the development of the Banana Port in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in partnership with Portuguese firm Mota-Engil. Located in Kongo Central province along the Atlantic coast, the port aims to strengthen the DRC’s trade infrastructure and become its primary maritime gateway for containerised cargo.

The project will be executed in phases:

Phase one includes a 600-meter quay, 450,000 TEU capacity, and a 30-hectare storage area, capable of handling the world’s largest ships.

Phase two will extend the quay by over two kilometers. The port will also centralise customs and administrative operations, improving trade efficiency and government oversight.

Currently, container trade in the DRC is managed by the inland ports of Matadi and Boma, which handle imports, bulk cargo, and agricultural exports like timber and bananas.

The vision is for Banana to become a gateway to international markets for DRC, promoting its logistical independence and sovereignty over foreign trade. The project is expected to transform the DRC’s trade landscape by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, reducing business costs, and reinforcing the country’s position as a key trade hub in the region.

Read more at Seatrade Maritime News

Our Capabilities

Multi-Lingual Services for a Global Mission

Jul 3, 2025 by source 0 Comments

Primoveo has native-level support in the following languages:

  • English
  • French
  • Swahili
  • Lingala

We know your mission doesn’t stop at the border. That’s why Primoveo gives you native-proficiency support in multiple languages. Reducing cost and complexity of having to arrange interpreter services, while providing rich interactions, we are your one-stop shop for taking care of your global mission’s needs.

Africa, Mining

A Wealth of Opportunities

Jun 23, 2025 by source 0 Comments

Africa represents an huge opportunity for global industries. With a strategic, innovative, and practical approach, our team is ready to unlock the region’s potential while ensuring the long-term success for all partners.

As we continue to expand our efforts, we invite governments, investors, and partners to join us in shaping a brighter future for Africa in partnership with U.S. and European industry. Together, we can turn Africa’s natural wealth into shared prosperity, ensuring a sustainable legacy for generations to come.

Our team of experts brings their experience to the table and can provide the world-class support, guidance and expertise you need.

Angola, Congo, DRC, Mining, Refining, Tanzania, Zambia

Mining and Refining Cobalt, Lithium, Nickel, and Coltan

Dec 29, 2024 by source 0 Comments

Mining and refining minerals such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, and coltan involve distinct processes due to differences in their geological occurrence, extraction methods, and refining requirements.

Cobalt

  • Mining: Cobalt is typically mined as a byproduct of copper or nickel mining, especially in regions like the DRC (Congo-Kinshasa). Open-pit or underground mining is used depending on the depth of the deposits.
  • Refining: Cobalt refining involves separating it from associated metals through hydrometallurgical processes such as leaching, solvent extraction, and electro-winning. High-purity cobalt is critical for battery production and industrial applications.

Lithium

  • Mining: Lithium is extracted from two main sources: spodumene (hard rock deposits) and lithium brine (found in salt flats). Hard rock mining requires crushing and processing ores, while brine extraction involves pumping underground saltwater to the surface for evaporation.
  • Refining: Refining lithium involves chemical processing to convert spodumene or brine into lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, the forms used in batteries. This is an energy-intensive process that requires careful environmental management.

Nickel

  • Mining: Nickel is mined from lateritic (surface) deposits and sulfide ores. Laterite mining is generally open-pit, while sulfide ores can require underground methods.
  • Refining: Refining nickel depends on the ore type. Sulfide ores are refined through smelting and electro-refining, while laterites require high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) to extract nickel. Nickel is a vital component in stainless steel and high-performance batteries.
Coltan ore contains metals of Tantalum and Niobium without them the productions of smart phones, laptops and condensers of all other electronic products related to contemporary world.

Coltan

  • Mining: Coltan (a source of tantalum and niobium) is often mined artisanally in the DRC and other parts of Africa. This involves manual digging and sifting of riverbeds and soil, making it labor-intensive and prone to ethical concerns.
  • Refining: Refining coltan involves chemical processing to extract tantalum and niobium, which are used in electronics and aerospace components. The refining process is highly specialized due to the high melting points and reactive nature of these metals.
Africa, Angola, Congo, DRC, Mining, Zambia

Unlocking the Potential: Mining, Rail and Industrial Opportunities in Africa

Dec 29, 2024 by source 0 Comments

Africa is home to vast and untapped mineral wealth, offering an unparalleled opportunity for economic development and sustainable growth. As global demand for essential minerals such as lithium, cobalt, tantalum, gold, and rare earth elements surges, the region stands at the forefront of a new era in mining expansion. Our team is uniquely positioned to lead transformative projects that not only harness these resources but work in partnership with local communities to maximize efficiency and boost output.

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