Kinshasa and Lusaka signed, on Monday in Kinshasa, the framework agreement for the launch of the pre-feasibility study of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) dedicated to the value chain project of batteries and electric vehicles, in the region of Haut-Katanga, in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The signing ceremony was chaired by the Prime Minister, Jean-Michel Michel Sama Lukonde, and the agreement was signed between the sectoral ministers of the DRC in particular the Minister of Finance, Industry and the Zambian Minister of Trade, financial partners, in the presence of the diplomatic corps and some members of the government.
According to the Congolese Prime Minister, the pre-feasibility study that will be carried out as part of this project will make it possible to design an implementation plan and an operational model for the creation and operation of the cross-border SEZ, identify the main challenges to be met in order to facilitate the establishment and operation of the cross-border SEZ, develop a financing plan and fundraising strategies, and design a strategy to promote investments dedicated to the cross-border SEZ.
“This project must be an example and a model not only within the framework of South-South cooperation, Africa and all the other countries of the sub-region, but above all at the global level on the respect of the demands of different countries of benefit from their resources. Here, the DRC, which is full of all these minerals we have talked about (cobalt, copper, lithium) wants to benefit from its resources, to benefit its populations and above all to guarantee the development of our country”, according to the head of government. Congolese.
He also suggested that as a solution country with regard to its biodiversity and its strategic minerals which go into the manufacture of electric batteries, renewable energies, electric cars, the DRC, through the President of the Republic, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi has set himself the ambition of developing a regional value chain around the electric battery and electric vehicle industry.
The Haut-Katanga region, bordering Zambia, is known for its wealth in several materials including cobalt, which is necessary for the manufacture of batteries.
The cross-border special economic zone will be erected on 2,000 hectares. “We are putting this project in a duty-free area which is considered a bonded area because we often know a lot of investors who pack up because only they are the subject of a lot of hassle,” said the minister. Congolese of Industry.
“This is why, he added, we are going to isolate them in this space that the Congolese and Zambian governments have created to allow investment to be much more competitive with reduced costs”.
The pre-feasibility study, the results of which should be published next August, will be pre-financed by the African Export-Import Bank for a value of US$750,000.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1107 of 03/28/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
