The Democratic Republic of Congo is at the heart of the global race for critical minerals. But how can the country turn its mineral wealth into lasting economic transformation?

In this new episode of Beyond The Mine, we welcome Albert Zeufack, World Bank Country Director for the Democratic Republic of Congo, for a conversation about the strategic investments that could reshape the country's economic future.

As the world's leading cobalt producer and a major player in the global copper market, the DRC holds considerable advantages. Yet power shortages, logistics bottlenecks, limited infrastructure and a relatively underdeveloped domestic industrial base continue to constrain the broader economic benefits of its mining industry.

Through major initiatives supported by the World Bank, particularly Inga 3 and the Lobito Corridor, we explore the strategic choices facing the country.

Key topics discussed:

• Inga 3: Should the DRC prioritise a long-term energy megaproject when mining operators and industries need reliable electricity today?
• Lobito Corridor: How can the DRC balance regional integration, logistics competitiveness and economic sovereignty? Could Lobito and the development of the Banana deep-water port be complementary strategies?
• Critical minerals: How can the country move beyond extraction and capture more value through local processing and industrialisation?
• Congolese private sector: What will it take to develop competitive domestic businesses capable of benefiting from investments in mining, energy and infrastructure?
• The World Bank and IDA: How can investments in energy, transport infrastructure and private-sector development work together to support long-term economic transformation?

Beyond individual projects, this conversation addresses a fundamental question: How can the DRC leverage its mineral wealth to build a more diversified, industrialised economy that creates sustainable jobs and prosperity for its people?

A strategic discussion about the trade-offs, opportunities and investments needed to turn the DRC's mineral potential into lasting economic development.

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