Project
Collaboration between mines and donors for development in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Designing the Katanga Extractive Industries Development Initiative public-private partnership vehicle
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) boasts some of the richest mineral resources in the world, including 10% of the global copper supply, 34% of the cobalt supply and 80% of niobium.
Despite the growth of the sector, which accounts for 21% of GDP and 90% of exports, a staggering 63% of the population lives below the poverty line. The mining sector, through large-scale investments and expansive value chains, offers a significant opportunity for the country to further its development objectives.
This is particularly the case in Katanga province, which accounts for most mining revenue.
To help realise this potential, in 2015 the UK Department for International Development (DFID) asked Adam Smith International to conduct a scoping study for a public-private sector partnership between donors, the provincial Government and mining companies to promote development in Katanga. This project involved stakeholder engagement, from host communities and civil society to provincial and national government.
Following meetings with donor organisations and the executive management of the largest mines in the DRC, Adam Smith International provided DFID with a comprehensive design for a partnership vehicle between the mine, donor and the provincial government.
Our team of experts identified key projects to support in high-potential sectors including renewable energy, agriculture and vocational training. These recommendations were delivered in several reports to DFID, the Government of the DRC, as well as in workshops in Kinshasa and London.
