Kenyan investors have committed approximately Sh100 billion to ventures in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aiming to capitalize on the country’s vast mineral resources. This significant investment surge follows the DRC’s accession to the East African Community (EAC) in 2022, which has opened new avenues for regional economic collaboration.

The DRC is endowed with abundant mineral wealth, including substantial reserves of cobalt, copper, gold, and diamonds. Cobalt, in particular, is crucial for the production of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and other technologies. The Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest in the country, exemplifies the DRC’s mineral potential, having produced over 200,000 tons of copper and nearly 19,000 tons of cobalt in 2021 alone [1] .

Kenyan investments are primarily focused on mining operations, infrastructure development, and related services that support the extraction and export of these minerals. This strategic move not only aims to diversify Kenya’s economic interests but also to strengthen its position within the regional mining sector.