Zambia Introduces Carbon Feed-In Premium Programme to Accelerate Solar Energy and Climate Investment
On April 1, 2026 Zambia’s Ministry of Green Economy and Environment launched a Carbon Feed‑In Premium (CFIP) programme designed to attract roughly $420 million of investment into grid‑connected renewable projects, primarily solar with battery storage. The first phase targets 300 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity, using a results‑based carbon finance mechanism that adds a tariff top‑up to improve project bankability. A Mitigation Outcome Purchase Agreement with Norway is expected to generate $80‑$200 million in carbon credits under Paris Agreement Article 6. Applications are accepted through May 31, 2026, and are open to independent power producers and ZESCO‑linked projects.
Patrick Kangwa Highlights Zambia’s Energy Sector Progress and 10,000MW Power Ambition
Zambia aims to boost installed power capacity from roughly 3,000 MW to 10,000 MW by 2030, according to Cabinet Secretary Patrick Kangwa. The government has rolled out the Electricity Open Access Regulations and an Energy Single Licensing System to attract private investment,...
ZDA Promotes Zambia’s Investment Potential During High-Level Germany Engagements
The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) showcased Zambia’s mining, energy, agriculture and water‑sanitation projects to German and European investors during high‑level talks in Berlin. The delegation participated in the 2027‑2028 Zambia‑Germany development cooperation negotiations, emphasizing governance, food security and water development....
Louis Watum Mobilises ENA Graduates Around Mining Sector Reforms
DRC Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba met with graduates from the National School of Administration to accelerate mining sector reforms. The dialogue centered on governance, transparency, artisanal mining regulation, and equitable revenue distribution, while spotlighting new projects such as...
DRC Considers Zambian Tailings Water Treatment Technology for Mining Sector
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining ministry is reviewing a Zambian‑origin wastewater treatment system presented by SACOR to address tailings water challenges in its copper and cobalt sectors. The technology separates solid residues from process water, enabling recycling and safer...
Middle East Conflict Threatens DRC Copper and Cobalt Sector Amid Sulfuric Acid Shortage
China’s suspension of sulfuric acid exports amid heightened Middle East tensions is tightening a critical input for copper leaching worldwide. The disruption could shave up to 125,000 tonnes of copper output from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2026, while...
ARSP Launches Subcontracting Compliance Campaign in Haut-Katanga to Support Congolese Businesses
The Regulatory Authority for Subcontracting in the Private Sector (ARSP) has launched a new compliance campaign in Haut‑Katanga province, extending a rollout that began in Lualaba and earlier provinces. Led by Director General Miguel Kashal Katemb, the effort seeks to...
DRC Plans New Copper Megaproject in Greater Kasai With Integrated Energy Infrastructure
The Democratic Republic of Congo announced a plan to develop a large‑scale copper mine in Greater Kasai with China Railway Resources Universal Ltd. The mine targets 200,000‑500,000 tonnes of copper per year, positioning it among the country’s biggest projects. An integrated...
South Africa’s Gold Sector Revives with Low-Cost Projects and Modular Mining Shift
South Africa’s gold industry is seeing a resurgence as companies pivot to low‑cost, modular projects. Theta Gold’s TGME project aims to produce about 1.24 million ounces over 13 years, with a 900 kW modular ball mill slated for commissioning by the end of...
Mozambique Proposes Mining Overhaul with State Equity and Raw Export Ban
Mozambique’s draft mining law revision would obligate a minimum 15% government equity stake in every new mining project and prohibit the export of unprocessed minerals. The proposal also extends mining concessions to 25 years, sets exploration licences for two to...
DRC Weighs Stake in $270M Zambia Power Link to Ease Mining Energy Shortages
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is weighing an equity stake in a $270 million, 200‑km high‑voltage transmission line that will link Zambia’s Kalumbila power plant to the copper hub of Kolwezi. The line is slated to deliver 460 MW initially, with...
DRC Accelerates Energy Sector Reforms with New Projects and World Bank Funding
The Democratic Republic of the Congo secured $250 million from the World Bank to launch the first phase of its $1 billion Integrated Development Program (PDI3), aimed at expanding electricity access. The 10.5 MW Kakobola hydroelectric plant was commissioned, delivering power to thousands...
BGFIBank Engages Industry Leaders at First Mining Summit Tech in Kolwezi
BGFIBank launched BGFIMines Flex at Mining Summit Tech 2026 in Kolwezi, offering purchase‑order financing without traditional collateral for DRC mining subcontractors. The product targets liquidity gaps for local firms amid new regulations that prioritize Congolese ownership. By providing fast, flexible...
ARSP Urges Stronger Local Transformation Agenda at Lualaba Mining Tech Summit
The Democratic Republic of Congo hosted its inaugural Mining Tech Summit in Lualaba province, bringing together government ministries, ARSP, CODES AFRICA, mining firms and digital innovators. The gathering emphasized shifting the sector from raw‑material export toward locally‑driven industrial transformation, leveraging...
Zambia Reaches 80% Financial Inclusion as Digital Services Drive Growth
Zambia’s 2025 FinScope Survey shows 80% of adults now using formal or informal financial services, up from 33.7% in 2005. The surge is driven by mobile‑money adoption, fintech expansion, and regulatory reforms that modernised payments and broadened agent banking. Rural...
Virtus Minerals Advances Chemaf Takeover in DRC with Key Regulatory Review
Virtus Minerals is advancing its $30 million acquisition of Chemaf’s copper‑cobalt assets in the Democratic Republic of Congo, entering a critical regulatory review with the DRC Mining Registry. The review will verify mining rights, contracts and legacy debt of roughly $900 million,...
Andrada Mining Defers £7.7m Loan Repayment to Fund Expansion at Namibia’s Uis Mine
Andrada Mining has postponed the repayment of its £7.7 million (≈ $9.6 million) convertible loan until July 2027, extending the maturity by one year and lowering the conversion price to 5 pence per share while keeping a 12% fixed interest rate. The company will redirect...
First Trade Convoy From Eastern DRC Reaches Kinshasa via Green Corridor Launch
The Kivu‑Kinshasa Green Corridor, a multimodal route linking North Kivu to Kinshasa via Kisangani and the Congo River, completed its first cargo convoy. The convoy carried three containers of soap, chocolate and beans, showcasing the east’s agro‑industrial potential. Launched in...
Cat® Unveils Battery Electric Power Unit at IFAT 2026, Turning Electrification Into a Drop-In Solution
Caterpillar unveiled its prototype Battery Electric Power Unit (BEPU) at IFAT 2026 in Munich, integrating it into Doppstadt’s SWS 6 Spiral Shaft Separator. The BEPU is a compact, plug‑and‑play system that swaps a diesel engine for an electric powertrain without...
DRC Mining Boom Masks Heavy Reliance on China and Copper
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining sector is projected to generate almost $40 billion in exports by 2025, but the boom is underpinned by a narrow trade profile. China absorbs roughly 62% of the country’s mineral shipments, while copper alone represents...
CEC Commissions Itimpi II Solar Plant, Boosting Zambia’s Renewable Energy Capacity
Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) commissioned the 136 MW Itimpi II solar PV plant in Kitwe, Zambia. The new facility lifts CEC’s total solar capacity to 230 MW, making it the country’s largest solar asset and one of the biggest in sub‑Saharan Africa. Built...
DRC Govt Launches Crackdown on Mining Fraud and Illegal Mineral Exploitation
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, a key global supplier of cobalt and copper, announced a sweeping crackdown on mining fraud and illegal mineral exploitation. President Félix Tshisekedi ordered “coercive” measures after a high‑level cabinet meeting, targeting officials, police, and military...
Zambia Raises Diesel and Kerosene Prices as Global Oil Costs Climb
Zambia’s Energy Regulation Board lifted diesel to K33.99 per litre (≈$1.77), kerosene to K35.05/L (≈$1.83) and Jet A‑1 to K37.98/L (≈$1.98) for May 2026, while petrol stayed at K27.15/L (≈$1.42). The hikes mirror sharp global oil price jumps—diesel up 23.11%, kerosene and...
DRC Engages Polish Investors to Boost Local Mining Equipment Manufacturing
On April 29, 2026, DRC Minister Louis Watum Kabamba met a Polish investment delegation in Kinshasa to discuss establishing a domestic mining‑equipment manufacturing plant. The proposal includes a factory for ore‑extraction machinery and a comprehensive training program for Congolese engineers....
DRC Mining Week 2026 to Spotlight Sector Reforms and Investment Opportunities
The Democratic Republic of the Congo will host DRC Mining Week 2026 in Lubumbashi from June 17‑19, with Mining Minister Louis Watum Kabamba steering the agenda. Kabamba, a former executive at AngloGold Ashanti, Barrick Gold and Ivanhoe Mines, will use...
Shuka Minerals Begins First Kabwe Drilling in Decades to Boost Zinc Resource
Shuka Minerals has launched Phase 1 drilling at Zambia’s historic Kabwe zinc mine, appointing Ox Drilling to execute a 2,000‑metre diamond program targeting depths of 100‑500 m. The campaign, the first resource drilling at Kabwe since the 1970s, aims to expand the...
DRC Mineral Export Prices Rise Sharply as Key Metals Gain on Global Markets
Export prices for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mineral portfolio surged between April 27 and May 2, 2026. Gold rose to $155.28 per gram and copper to $13,177.50 per ton, while Germanium jumped 32 percent to $8,208 per kilogram. Tin and aluminum also...
DRC Orders Nationwide Audit to Track Mining Export Revenues and Strengthen Foreign Exchange Controls
The Democratic Republic of Congo will launch a nationwide audit within 30 days to trace mining export revenues from shipment through foreign‑currency repatriation to final government collection. President Félix Tshisekedi highlighted the move as a response to record copper and...
DRC Plans New Mining Security Force to Protect Strategic Mineral Wealth
The Democratic Republic of the Congo announced a plan to create a dedicated paramilitary mining security force to protect its strategic mineral assets. An initial $100 million budget will fund up to 3,000 armed guards by December, with a target of...
U.S. Turns to Africa for Critical Minerals as Supply Chain Risks Grow
The United States is turning to Africa to secure critical minerals essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and defense. Gabon now supplies 100% of U.S. manganese imports, while South Africa provides the majority of platinum, chromium and palladium. This shift...
Zambia Hosts Historic International Mine Rescue Competition for the First Time in Africa
Zambia has launched the International Mine Rescue Competition 2026, the first time the global safety event is hosted in Africa. The week‑long contest, running 26 April‑5 May, draws 22 elite rescue teams to the Copperbelt’s Mopani, Mufulira and Kansanshi sites....
Paladin Energy Engages Global Buyers as Namibia Strengthens Position in Tightening Uranium Market
Paladin Energy is actively courting buyers in the United States, China and Europe for its uranium output from Namibia, as global demand for nuclear fuel accelerates. The company’s CEO, Paul Hemburrow, noted informal talks with U.S. diplomatic representatives but no...
Mozambique and China Forge Strategic Pact to Develop Minerals, Energy and Security Capacity
Mozambique and China signed a comprehensive cooperation pact that blends defence collaboration, geological mapping and industrial investment to unlock the country’s vast natural‑resource frontier. The agreement targets the Rovuma Basin’s more than 5 trillion cubic metres of gas and untapped deposits...
Rome Resources Strengthens Control and Funding Position at Bisie North Tin Project
Rome Resources is consolidating its position in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Bisie North tin district by acquiring the remaining 27.5% stake in the Kalayi Project and boosting its share in the Mont Agoma licence to 81%. The company raised...
Zijin Mining Advances Strategic Logistics Corridor for Manono Lithium Project
China's Zijin Mining is close to completing a dedicated Lake Tanganyika cargo fleet to export lithium from its Manono project in the DRC. Four 70‑meter vessels, each capable of carrying 2,000 tons, are slated for service by July 2026, linking...
President Hichilema Launches Mabumba Solar Plant to Strengthen Energy Supply in Luapula Province
President Hakainde Hichilema commissioned Zambia’s 50‑MW Mabumba Solar Plant in Luapula Province, slated to supply electricity to over 20,000 homes. The project supplements the region’s aging 10‑MW Musonda Falls hydropower station, addressing a 30‑MW demand gap. ZESCO delivered the plant...
Zambia Secures $1.5 Billion China Deal to Add 900 MW Power Capacity and Strengthen Energy Security
Zambia has secured a $1.5 billion investment from China Machinery Engineering Corporation to add 900 MW of generation capacity through solar, wind, and coal projects. The expansion supports the country’s goal of reaching 10,000 MW by 2031 and addresses chronic shortages caused by...
DRC and Zambia Emerge as Key Drivers of Global Copper Supply Amid Surging Demand
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia are solidifying Africa’s role as a cornerstone of global copper supply amid a rapid rise in demand. The DRC ranks among the world’s top four copper reserve holders, while Zambia targets...
DRC Pushes for Energy Transformation as It Showcases Massive Hydropower Potential at African Energy Forum
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced a hydropower potential of roughly 167,000 MW spread over 3,350 sites, according to an Artelia‑World Bank study. At the Invest in African Energy Forum, Minister Aimé Sakombi Molendo stressed that the priority has shifted from...
DRC Pushes Regional Trade Integration Through Corridor Development at Lubumbashi Conference
At its third Import‑Export Conference in Lubumbashi, the Democratic Republic of Congo convened government, business and logistics leaders to discuss how transport corridors can accelerate African trade integration. Participants highlighted the DRC’s strategic position—bordering nine nations and offering access to...
DRC Launches EU-Funded Skills and Trade Modernisation Projects to Strengthen Lobito Corridor Integration
The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched two EU‑backed projects, funded with €11 million (≈$12 million), to modernise the Lobito Corridor and boost digital trade. The programmes target trade‑facilitation improvements and the upskilling of roughly 10,000 Congolese youth, entrepreneurs and workers. Technical...
BHP Expands Copper Exploration in Zambia Amid Rising Global Demand
Mining giant BHP has launched an expanded copper exploration program across southern Africa, with a focus on Zambia’s underexplored deep deposits. The company will use advanced geological modeling, geophysical surveys and data‑driven techniques to locate large, long‑life ore bodies. Zambia,...
Copper Leads Weekly Surge in Global Commodity Prices as DRC Mining Products Show Mixed Trends
Copper prices climbed to $12,836 per ton in the week of April 20‑25, up $688 from the prior week, extending a multi‑week rally. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) also projected gains for gold, tin, wolframite and silver ore, while...
DRC Govt Cracks Down on Illegal Gold Mining in Ituri Amid Major Sector Reform Push
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining ministry launched a sweeping crackdown on illegal gold mining in Ituri Province, ordering the closure of several unlicensed sites and seizing heavy equipment. Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba led field missions in Mahagi...
DRC’s Economic Rise Gains Momentum as Mining Boom and Currency Reforms Reshape Growth
The International Monetary Fund projects the Democratic Republic of Congo’s GDP to reach roughly $123 billion in 2026, positioning it as the fifth‑largest economy in Sub‑Saharan Africa. Growth is driven by a mining boom that now contributes about 25% of GDP...
Zambia’s Major Copper Smelters Face Extended Shutdowns, Raising Supply Concerns
Zambia’s two largest copper smelters, Mopani and Chambishi, will undergo unusually long maintenance periods later this year, with Mopani slated for a 40‑45‑day shutdown and Chambishi for roughly two months. The extended outages will sharply curtail domestic sulphuric acid production,...
U.S. Firms Show Growing Interest in Congo Mining Assets as Investment Tied to Peace Efforts
U.S. companies are showing heightened interest in mining projects across the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the strategically important Rubaya coltan mine. Washington’s proposed minerals partnership ties any investment to ongoing peace initiatives in the conflict‑ridden eastern region. Early activity,...
Judith Suminwa Leads Strategic Talks at World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings
DR Congo Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka attended the World Bank‑IMF Spring Meetings in Washington from April 13‑18, 2026. She held high‑level talks on the country’s macroeconomic outlook and the upcoming third IMF program review, which could unlock additional budget support....
Trafigura Signs $1bn Oil-Backed Financing Deal with Gabon to Boost Liquidity
Global commodities trader Trafigura has signed a $1 billion oil‑backed financing agreement with the Republic of Gabon, providing upfront liquidity in exchange for the country's profit‑oil over seven years. The deal makes Trafigura the exclusive buyer of Gabon's post‑cost crude, with...
DRC Moves to Secure Fuel Supply From Dangote Refinery Amid Global Market Pressures
Democratic Republic of Congo is evaluating fuel imports from Nigeria’s Dangote refinery to diversify its petroleum supply and boost energy security. Deputy Prime Minister Daniel Mukoko met Aliko Dangote and United Bank for Africa officials to discuss direct supply agreements and financing...