Your account has been succesfully created.

EN FR

The Morning Brief
Log in

Password

Keep me logged in

Forgot your password?
Subscribe

Spotlight | DRC
Abu Dhabi's grand gold and coltan designs in the DRC

United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed and his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi. © Rashed Al-Mansoori/UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs/AFP

Felix Tshisekedi's private office is radically overhauling the Congolese mining sector while putting the finishing touches to an unprecedented partnership with the United Arab Emirates, which has expressed an interest in a dozen mining permits. [...]

Published on 06.04.2023 at 04:40 GMT Reading time 6 minutes Olivier Liffran, Joan Tilouine

This article may be accessed by subscribers

In order to ensure high-quality and independent journalism, Africa Intelligence relies solely on subscriptions from its readers, with no advertising, no events and no consulting work.

Several offers are available depending on your particular reading needs

Choose an offer

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

Discover our work by making use of the following possibilities: daily newsletters, a selection of free articles, keyword alerts.

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

create a free account

Mining

Set up email notifications for these topics

DRC
Agence Nationale de Renseignements
Ajay Bathia
Andre Wameso
Antoinette N'Samba
Benedikt Sobotka
Congo Jia Xin
Dany Banza
DP World
Eurasian Resources Group
Felix Tshisekedi
Fortunat Biselele
Francois Beya Kasonga
Gecamines
Grupo Alfa Corporation
Guy Robert Lukama Nkunzi
Guylain Nyembo
International Chamber of Commerce
Jacques Masangu
Jean-Claude Kabongo
Joseph Kabila
Joseph Kazibaziba
Kahumbu Mandungu Bula
Karim Harati
Kasi
Ludovic Monga
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Nicolas Kazadi
Placide Kala Basidiwa
Primera Gold SA
Primera Group Limited
Primera Metals
Sampi International Holding
Sibtein Alibhai
Swanmines
Theo Ngwabidje
Trinity International LLP

In Focus | DRC
Tshisekedi clan involved in former Katanga province's mining wild west

The names of several members of President Félix Tshisekedi's family keep quietly cropping up in connection with artisanal mining in Lualaba. Some of the sites invaded by artisanal miners last year are owned by Kazakhstan's Eurasian Resources Group.

Subscribers only Mining 05.02.2024

© Illustrated by Julien Pacaud Pictures: F. Scoppa/P. Meinhardt/AFP; J. Graylock/M. Kaplan/E. Zani/Alamy

Spotlight | DRC
Tshisekedi's South Kivu gold headache

Primera Gold has a monopoly on the trade and export of artisanal gold from the eastern province thanks to a partnership between the DRC and UAE. But it has not been able to stem the flow of illicit gold to neighbouring countries.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 19.01.2024

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi with his Emirati counterpart Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on 24 January 2023.

DRC
Kazakh miner ERG clashes with presidential family in Lualaba

In June, the army conducted investigations to find out who is behind the artisanal diggers working on ERG's mining permits. The names of presidential family members and a cooperative belonging to Lualaba province's acting governor came up during on-site interviews.

Subscribers only Mining 28.07.2023

ERG CEO Benedikt Sobotka and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi.

Spotlight | DRC
Rubaya mine at heart of vast coltan trafficking network

Tonnes of the strategic mineral coltan are being extracted and exported illegally from mines owned by the family of MP Edouard Mwangachuchu Hizi, who is currently being tried by a military court. Armed groups have been trafficking the mineral, allegedly with the complicity of the security forces.

Subscribers only Mining, Politics 06.07.2023

Edouard Mwangachuchu, founder and former director of SMB, in the mining territory of Masisi, in 2011

Spotlight | DRC
Kinshasa turns to the mining companies for fresh funds

As it struggles to balance its books despite record revenues last year, Kinshasa is looking to the mining sector to help it improve its finances. The government is using every means at its disposal, including a tax on exceptional profits and an increase in Chinese companies' royalty payments.

Subscribers only Mining 21.06.2023

President of the DRC Felix Tshisekedi, 4 February 2023.

Spotlight | DRC, United States
Oklahoma cobalt refiner eyes DRC's natural resources

KaLeigh Long, a former lobbyist from Oklahoma, has turned her hand to refining battery metals. Her contacts within the Republican establishment have helped her raise funds to build a plant in her home state. And her connections in Kinshasa have enabled her to forge crucial links for sourcing ore.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 02.06.2023

Westwin Elements CEO KaLeigh Long at the Cobalt Congress 2023.

Spotlight | DRC
MbZ and Tshisekedi finalise arms and mines deals

Kinshasa and Abu Dhabi are secretly finalising an unprecedented deal that would include major mining projects and may also have a military component.

Subscribers only Defence, Mining, Diplomacy 02.05.2023

UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan with RDC's president Felix Tshisekedi in Abu Dhabi, on 19 January 2023.

DRC
China's MMG Kinsevere launches arbitration against Gécamines

China Minmetals' DR Congo subsidiary MMG Kinsevere has launched an arbitration procedure in Paris against its partner, Gécamines. It wants $145m from the state-owned company, which it claims is blocking the expansion of its Kinsevere mine.

Subscribers only Mining 19.04.2023

DRC
Tshisekedi awaits his new presidential Boeing business jet

Stationné sur l'aéroport de Woensdrecht, aux Pays-Bas, pour y subir une révision, le Boeing BBJ de la présidence congolaise doit être remis à disposition d'ici à la fin du mois d'avril en RDC.

Subscribers only Politics 13.04.2023

Inner circles | DRC
Strategists gear up to get Tshisekedi re-elected

The Congolese president's official and shadow advisers are preparing for the presidential election scheduled for December, despite the possibility that it will be postponed. They hope to ward off a potential political crisis and secure another term for the incumbent.

Subscribers only Mining, Politics 07.04.2023

President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi

Spotlight | DRC
Top adviser Bifort ousted as Tshisekedi purges his inner circle

The arrest of Fortunat Biselele, aka Bifort, and the reshuffle of the president's private office, where he was a pivotal figure, heralds a change of direction for Félix Tshisekedi. Africa Intelligence reveals the story behind the scenes of this political incident and the investigation conducted by the intelligence services.

Subscribers only Politics 20.01.2023

DRC
Port of Banana: Kinshasa finalises expropriation phase

The operation to expropriate land at the site of DP World's upcoming Banana port is due to be completed on 11 December. Among those resisting is Zoé Kabila, former president Joseph Kabila's brother.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 07.12.2022

DRC
Why Tshisekedi had security chief Beya arrested

Since the arrest of his security adviser François Beya on 5 February, the Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi has been keeping a tight lid on the matter, fuelling furious rumours. Africa Intelligence reveals why the head of state had his master spy arrested and how it happened.

Subscribers only Politics 18.02.2022

Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi (right) and his security adviser François Beya.

In Focus | DRC
Felix Tshisekedi's inner circle in a panic over mining deal dispute

For several weeks, a dispute between one of President Felix Tshisekedi's closest advisers and the former chairman of the independent national electoral commission has been causing high-level turbulence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Subscribers only Mining 10.01.2022

Set up email notifications for these topics

DRC
Agence Nationale de Renseignements
Ajay Bathia
Andre Wameso
Antoinette N'Samba
Benedikt Sobotka
Congo Jia Xin
Dany Banza
DP World
Eurasian Resources Group
Felix Tshisekedi
Fortunat Biselele
Francois Beya Kasonga
Gecamines
Grupo Alfa Corporation
Guy Robert Lukama Nkunzi
Guylain Nyembo
International Chamber of Commerce
Jacques Masangu
Jean-Claude Kabongo
Joseph Kabila
Joseph Kazibaziba
Kahumbu Mandungu Bula
Karim Harati
Kasi
Ludovic Monga
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Nicolas Kazadi
Placide Kala Basidiwa
Primera Gold SA
Primera Group Limited
Primera Metals
Sampi International Holding
Sibtein Alibhai
Swanmines
Theo Ngwabidje
Trinity International LLP

Once registered, you will be notified by a short message on your computer or mobile phone as soon as a new edition of our publication or an alert is published. Stay informed anytime, anywhere!

Guinea
Behind the scenes of Mamadi Doumbouya's offensive on Russian miner Nordgold

DRC
Dan Gertler's billions of dollars in royalties at heart of huge legal battle

Spotlight | DRC
Abu Dhabi's grand gold and coltan designs in the DRC

This article may be accessed by subscribers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

create a free account

Set up email notifications for these topics

In Focus | DRC
Tshisekedi clan involved in former Katanga province's mining wild west

Spotlight | DRC
Tshisekedi's South Kivu gold headache

DRC
Kazakh miner ERG clashes with presidential family in Lualaba

Spotlight | DRC
Rubaya mine at heart of vast coltan trafficking network

Spotlight | DRC
Kinshasa turns to the mining companies for fresh funds

Spotlight | DRC, United States
Oklahoma cobalt refiner eyes DRC's natural resources

Spotlight | DRC
MbZ and Tshisekedi finalise arms and mines deals

DRC
China's MMG Kinsevere launches arbitration against Gécamines

DRC
Tshisekedi awaits his new presidential Boeing business jet

Inner circles | DRC
Strategists gear up to get Tshisekedi re-elected

Spotlight | DRC
Top adviser Bifort ousted as Tshisekedi purges his inner circle

DRC
Port of Banana: Kinshasa finalises expropriation phase

DRC
Why Tshisekedi had security chief Beya arrested

In Focus | DRC
Felix Tshisekedi's inner circle in a panic over mining deal dispute

Set up email notifications for these topics

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Guinea Behind the scenes of Mamadi Doumbouya's offensive on Russian miner Nordgold

DRC Dan Gertler's billions of dollars in royalties at heart of huge legal battle

The generals waging war from Khartoum to Darfur

Kinshasa's pan-African plans for Grand Inga

William Ruto's new order

Spotlight | DRC Abu Dhabi's grand gold and coltan designs in the DRC

This article may be accessed by subscribers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

create a free account

Set up email notifications for these topics

In Focus | DRC Tshisekedi clan involved in former Katanga province's mining wild west

Spotlight | DRC Tshisekedi's South Kivu gold headache

DRC Kazakh miner ERG clashes with presidential family in Lualaba

Spotlight | DRC Rubaya mine at heart of vast coltan trafficking network

Spotlight | DRC Kinshasa turns to the mining companies for fresh funds

Spotlight | DRC, United States Oklahoma cobalt refiner eyes DRC's natural resources

Spotlight | DRC MbZ and Tshisekedi finalise arms and mines deals

DRC China's MMG Kinsevere launches arbitration against Gécamines

DRC Tshisekedi awaits his new presidential Boeing business jet

Inner circles | DRC Strategists gear up to get Tshisekedi re-elected

Spotlight | DRC Top adviser Bifort ousted as Tshisekedi purges his inner circle

DRC Port of Banana: Kinshasa finalises expropriation phase

DRC Why Tshisekedi had security chief Beya arrested

In Focus | DRC Felix Tshisekedi's inner circle in a panic over mining deal dispute

Set up email notifications for these topics

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Guinea
Behind the scenes of Mamadi Doumbouya's offensive on Russian miner Nordgold

DRC
Dan Gertler's billions of dollars in royalties at heart of huge legal battle

Spotlight | DRC
Abu Dhabi's grand gold and coltan designs in the DRC

In Focus | DRC
Tshisekedi clan involved in former Katanga province's mining wild west

Spotlight | DRC
Tshisekedi's South Kivu gold headache

DRC
Kazakh miner ERG clashes with presidential family in Lualaba

Spotlight | DRC
Rubaya mine at heart of vast coltan trafficking network

Spotlight | DRC
Kinshasa turns to the mining companies for fresh funds

Spotlight | DRC, United States
Oklahoma cobalt refiner eyes DRC's natural resources

Spotlight | DRC
MbZ and Tshisekedi finalise arms and mines deals

DRC
China's MMG Kinsevere launches arbitration against Gécamines

DRC
Tshisekedi awaits his new presidential Boeing business jet

Inner circles | DRC
Strategists gear up to get Tshisekedi re-elected

Spotlight | DRC
Top adviser Bifort ousted as Tshisekedi purges his inner circle

DRC
Port of Banana: Kinshasa finalises expropriation phase

DRC
Why Tshisekedi had security chief Beya arrested

In Focus | DRC
Felix Tshisekedi's inner circle in a panic over mining deal dispute