Belgium keen to invest in the DRC

Belgium keen to invest in the DRC     

Belgium has become the latest country to express interest to invest in the DRC.

By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine

Following hot on the heels of an agreement between the US and the DRC, which will result in substantial investments into the country by American companies, Belgium has expressed renewed interest in the DRC’s mineral sector.

According to a report by Reuters, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said that Belgium is open to deeper involvement in the DRC’s mineral sector.

Prévot is on a tour of the Great Lakes region, moving from Burundi to the DRC with a focus on the conflict in the eastern parts of the DRC. Prévot started his tour in Uganda last Friday.

Belgium has expertise to add value

His visit is the first by a Belgian minister in more than a decade. Asked by Reuters about possible interest in the DRC’s minerals, Prévot said that Belgium has the expertise to process critical minerals.

“If we have an opportunity to become an investment partner in the DRC, Belgium will not hesitate,” Prévot said.

This is good news for the DRC government, who under President Felix Tshisekedi, wants to diversity its current investment partners.

Prévot said that Belgium has globally recognised companies with the capacity to process, beneficiate and add value to raw critical minerals.

The Belgian companies

He mentioned two companies specifically, namely Umicore and John Cockerill.

Umicore

Umicore produces materials for electric and hybrid vehicles and supply catalysts to reduce emissions and battery materials such as cathodes for lithium-ion batteries. It also develops and produces high-performance materials for electronics, telecommunications, and renewable energy.

Johan Cockerill

John Cockerill is headquartered in Seraing with a legacy dating back to 1817. It is a significant player in the energy sector, focusing on facilitating access to low-carbon energies.

The company develops technologies such as electrolysers for green hydrogen production, heat recovery steam generators, and solar thermal power plant receivers. John Cockerill has a 33% market share in global hydrogen electrolyser deliveries ​

The company also manufactures integrated turret weapon systems for light and medium-weight armoured vehicles. John Cockerill recently acquired Arquus, a French land vehicle manufacturer, enhancing its capabilities in the defense sector.

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Belgium keen to invest in the DRC