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Amid rising concerns about mining governance across sub-Saharan Africa – underlined by a new US advisory warning of ‘unique business risk’ – a contract awarding well-connected UAE company Primera Group the right to export and process much of Democratic Republic of Congo’s artisanal gold has attracted scrutiny and criticism within and well beyond DRC, writes Eleanor Gillespie.

The United Arab Emirates has often played a role in the illicit Congolese gold trade. A 2014 report by Partnership Africa Canada (Impact) noted that the number of individuals responsible for exporting illicit gold from Democratic Republic of Congo to Dubai was small.

Control over African mineral reserves means governments now hold a lot of the cards in negotiating with corporations and political leaders, during a period of rising global demand and shifting power balances. Industry players now argue that more equitable partnerships may finally be on the table.

Goma-based renewable energy developer Nuru closed a funding round in early July, the proceeds of which will be used to start construction work on three solar hybrid metro-grids in Goma, Kindu, and Bunia.

Lagos-headquartered multilateral the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has set out its stall as a financier and partner for the continent’s energy transition, with a strategy to support renewable energy and critical minerals projects around the continent, as well as the development of battery manufacturing supply chains. The AFC also plans to continue supporting short- to medium-term energy needs by backing upstream and midstream gas projects and gas-to-power (GTP) developments. Marc Howard spoke to AFC executive director and chief investment officer Sameh Shenouda during the recent Africa Energy Forum in Nairobi.

The 1,290km Lobito corridor is being lined up for some $250m in financing from the United States’ Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and, reflecting the tone of recent US (re-) engagement with the region, the White House has also mooted an expansion of the Lobito corridor to the Tanzanian coast.

The Ministry of Hydrocarbons’ mid-May roadshow event in London was an effort to firm up international interest in a string of blocks across central DR Congo and along its eastern border. In a problematic region, one big element for success could hinge on linking any finds into export infrastructure due to be built in neighbouring Uganda.

Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) managing director Owen Silavwe has outlined hopes for the private utility to reach an agreement with Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) over outstanding debts of $192m. CEC has also set a target date for the commissioning of its 60MW Itimpi solar plant and provided an update on its DR Congo plans.

The International Monetary Fund has trimmed its economic growth expectations for sub-Saharan Africa in its latest World Economic Outlook to 3.6% for 2023. Low-income countries are expected to outperform most of their richer neighbours, but some analysts have warned the IMF is being overly optimistic.

Lagos-headquartered Royal Power Energy (RPE) is planning to expand out of its home market and into Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as it seeks to exploit opportunities stemming from the rising demand for electricity from mobile phone network providers.

Goma-based renewables developer Nuru has raised $1.5m from Nairobi-headquartered investor E3 Capital, the United Kingdom’s Renewable Energy Performance Platform (REPP) and Agence Française de Développement subsidiary Proparco.

Amea Power executive chairman and founder Hussain Al-Nowais in late February provided a detailed insight into 11 of the Dubai-based developer’s projects under development in African markets.

Democratic Republic of Congo’s huge resource base, and desperate need to cater for one of the world’s fastest-growing populations, are exciting potential investors, encouraged by President Félix Tshisekedi’s claims to be presiding over improved governance. But claims to significant progress are questionable as a controversial presidential election beckons, conflict stalks eastern DRC and criminality dogs efforts to overhaul power and other sectors, write François Misser and Jon Marks.

Electricity theft in South Kivu – where it is especially prevalent – is called dahoulage, derived from the Mashi word kudahula, which means taking fire from a neighbour’s home to light one’s stove. Wires may be connected to state utility Société Nationale d’Électricité (Snel)’s high-voltage cables for distribution between neighbours to connect illegal lines to their homes, reselling them electricity at a flat rate, sometimes from homes converted into illegal electricity supply cabins.

Symbion Power is developing a 60MW biogas-to-power independent power project (IPP) on Lake Kivu in the Goma region. The scheme – which promises a total investment of $300m – will use methane from the Makelele block, which was awarded to Symbion’s local subsidiary Renewable Energy Developments (RED) in January as part of a wider DRC upstream bid round.