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Unlocking DRC’s Potential : Striking a balance between Strategic partnerships and safeguarding its interests 

by Eunicia Lutete updated on February 20, 2024       

 

In recent times, the global spotlight has shifted towards Africa as the West seeks to strengthen partnerships and invest in the continent. For decades, China has dominated its presence in Africa, signing mining deals, building infrastructure, and importing goods and recently Russia has started printing its footprints in Africa while the US is also present in the African continent. Russia is the chief arms supplier to Africa, accounting for 40 percent of African imports of major weapons systems between 2018 and 2022. This has been higher than the total arms imports from the United States (16 percent), China (9.8 percent), and France (7.6 percent) during those years. However, a new wave of African awakening is challenging the status quo, with many African nations questioning the presence of former colonizers, particularly France, in their territories.  

  

In countries like Burkina Faso, Niger, and other French colonies, locals are expressing discontent with the continued dominance of French influence. Despite gaining independence, these nations still grapple with the strong presence of former colonizers making decisions on their behalf, often prioritizing their interests over the well-being of the local populations. While DRC has made some deals in mining and is not benefiting from those so-called “equal partnerships” instead DRC is being ripped in those deals that were signed with China during Joseph Kabila’s mandate and another giant deal with Dan Getler in the mining sector. The West, in response to its geopolitical agenda, has been actively discouraging African nations from engaging in business with China and Russia. This stance, however, raises questions among Africans who recognize that Russia has never colonized their continent and has supported the rise and development of African nations.  

  

This article focuses on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a nation rich in natural resources, including vast forests and biodiversity. The DRC faces a critical decision in determining which partnerships to trust, especially from the West, given a history of exploitation and abuse. As the DRC aims for reform, the question arises: Should the nation pursue development through strategic partnerships with the West, or risk becoming more controlled by partnering with external powers?  

  

The DRC’s abundant natural resources have been both a blessing and a curse. Malicious deals have led to corruption, violence, political turmoil, and widespread poverty, leaving the country among the richest yet poorest with a GDP per capita of US$837 in 2019. In 2005, 94% of the Congolese were surviving on less than US$1.90 a day, and US$2.15 a day in 2022. The DRC is awakening to the need for strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships with relevant stakeholders, balancing development with the well-being of its population.

 

 


 

The challenges of the DRC and how it can improve the livelihood of its 100 million population with the right partnerships  

  

The characteristics of a country’s population can shape its long-term social, economic, and political foundations; thus, understanding a nation’s demographic profile indicates its development prospects. To navigate this delicate situation, the DRC must prioritize effective leadership, ending conflicts in the eastern regions, stabilizing the currency, investing in education, and fostering the creation of a middle class. The absence of a middle class impedes progress, and the DRC needs to bridge this gap to advance as a nation with a good governance strategy. Governance in DR Congo is characterized by networks of rent-seeking political, military, and economic elites that direct and organize the abundant natural resources of the country to serve their ethnic and regional allegiances rather than for sustainable development while tackling the informal economy in the process.  

  

There are several definitions of an informal economy but it is generally considered as a set of economic activities that are not subject to taxation and other regulations. The informality rate in the DR Congo is one of the highest in the world which increases  corruptive deals that are driven by self-interest. According to the World Bank, the share of the informal sector in total workers in the country is 81.5%. According to the Trade Union Confederation of the DR Congo (La Confédération Syndicale du Congo), only 2.5% of workers are employed in the formal sector. In other words, the informal sector accounts for 97.5% of all workers in the country, above the average for sub-Saharan Africa estimated at 89.2%.  

  

 

 

 Furthermore, Agriculture is the biggest sector besides mining which is also an economic-driven sector of the country, with 90% of available land to harvest. Over 60% of the DRC’s population relies on agriculture for survival. Strategic agricultural deals with the government and reputable NGOs can transform the sector, ensuring that partnerships are mutually beneficial. Organizations like the United Nations, with agencies such as IFAD, FAO, and WFP, play a significant role in the country’s agricultural landscape. The DRC must leverage these partnerships to uplift its agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of its people, especially small-scale farmers who are more sustainable than the giant multinationals that are investing in the country. The Democratic Republic of Congo aims to invest $6.6 billion over ten years in its Agriculture Transformation Programme (PTA) to fulfill its commitment to becoming Africa’s breadbasket. The announcement was made at the “DRC Agribusiness Forum”, held on 4th and 5th October 2023 in Kinshasa (ADB, 2023).  

  

There are many concerns that are hindering the development of the DRC. While numerous stakeholders are engaging in business negotiations with the country and its assets, the population is voicing speculations about whether the leaders are prioritizing deals that benefit the nation or themselves. This resurgence of distrust towards both the government and external stakeholders poses a significant obstacle to the nation’s progress. Despite these challenges, there remains a sense of hope among the Congolese people. The second mandate of Felix Tshisekedi, inaugurated on January 20th, brought forth numerous promises. The Congolese people’s optimism is not solely reliant on political rhetoric but on concrete actions that translate promises into reality. Transparency in the government’s dealings with external stakeholders and the responsible management of the country’s resources are essential to rebuilding trust among the population.  

  

Despite the historical distrust of Western influence, the DRC cannot afford to isolate itself in a globalized world. Striking a balance between strategic partnerships and safeguarding its interests is key. The government must work towards building trust and ensuring that partnerships contribute to the country’s development while acknowledging the interconnectedness of our global community.  

  

As the DRC charts its path forward, it faces the challenge of overcoming historical distrust while embracing globalization. The nation holds valuable resources needed globally, making strategic partnerships essential for its development. By prioritizing the well-being of its citizens, fostering transparent and mutually beneficial agreements, and actively engaging with international organizations, the DRC can navigate these challenges and emerge as a developed, prosperous nation in the future.  

 

Africa, the cradle of humanity, a land that stirs the soul with its mystic allure. My soul chose to be born in a land where golden savannahs stretch far and wide. A land where one can witness the plains come alive with the rhythmic footsteps of herds embarking on their breath-taking migration in a timeless display of resilience and unity. A country that holds beauty, that enchants the senses and ignites wonder.

My land, my motherland Kenya. Born into a Kenyan family of Asian descent, a family that has lived and breathed Kenya and Africa for previous 5 generations, I can only identify as a Kenyan, a proud 6th generation African. Brought up in a family where ‘Being Human’ was the main principal belief. We have been raised with values that don’t differ greatly from those of the thousands of tribes that make up Africa – roots, heritage, family, faith, morals, principles and more.

Many years ago, I stood on stage at a speech writing contest in High School, where I described the strategy behind Muhamad Ali’s glorious win where he “floated like a butterfly, and stung like a bee” against George Foreman, in the fight forever known as the ‘Rumble in the Jungle.’ Years later, never even in my wildest imagination, did I imagine I would be living in the very ‘jungle’ itself, and working in the world of strategic storytelling and encouraging the amplification of Congolese voices and narratives far and wide across the globe from the heart of Africa.

Congo or as it was then called Zaire, a land that was stamped in the memory of the World as the place where Ali fought Foreman and caused a mighty Rumble in the boxing world. A battle that was immortalised in the song ‘In Zaire’ sung by Johnny Wakelin. Congo was a land everyone wanted to know about.

A land that is endowed with all the riches known to mankind. A blessed land, with a rich cultural heritage and a teeming, deserving population. A land sadly destroyed by its colonial past. Which, since its independence, is slowly trying to attain its rightful place in the World. It is here that I arrived five years back.

As I look back on my first five years of living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there have been moments of floating and very often, little stings. I moved to Kinshasa for love. In the beginning, I can honestly admit, it was not love for the city or the country or the people – I didn’t know enough about this 

ginormous country and the 100+ million people that fill its borders – it was personal love. But five years later, I never thought I could love a country and its people as though they were mine. That love comes from the heart that feels the mystic rhythm of the African land, and I couldn’t be prouder to call it home.

You can never shake the ancient dust of Africa off your boots – no matter how far and wide you travel.

Having lived in London for thirteen years followed by a few years in the Middle East, returning to Africa was natural. 

The love for Africa always remains in the soul. Living in the heart and soul of Central Africa, has been an adventure.

The narratives that have filled Western Media have sung a different song for many years, call it geo-politics, strategic positioning, economic control, all things aside, the story of the Congo has never really been told loudly by the Congolese themselves. From the outside looking in, the perceptions are dotted and plagued with negativity, but on the ground, the beating hearts of the Congolese are rumbling a little louder day by day towards progress, and it’s in these slivers of hope, that the true stories are revealed.

The stories that spotlight the young entrepreneur battling to build a viable business, young students carving out their careers currently into untapped and underdeveloped industries, the non-existent middle class that should build the private sector and contribute to its growth and the country’s economy, international investors building projects that create jobs and wealth for the locals as much as it does for the financial interest in the Congo. We can’t talk about changing the narrative of a country when we don’t discuss the positive changes that education, infrastructure developments, economic policies, universal health care, food self sufficiency etc can contribute towards developing Congo.

In Africa, a transformative era is on the horizon as the continent sets its sights on change and development like never before, and country examples like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco, and Kenya are a testament to these positive changes. A combined drive by the Africans to build an Africa by Africans for a future developed Africa. A daunting task as a fellow African who first arrived in Kinshasa for a two-week trip which quickly extended from month to month and snowballed into creating a business in the field of strategic advisory and communications. It was created around the simple premise – the African narrative needs to be written by the Africans, and the Congolese needed a platform for their voices to be heard as far and wide across the globe.

At the heart of Africa, the center of its soul, the Congolese beats are picking up. Business is quietly picking up, post the first peaceful democratic elections. As the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi embarks on his second mandate, the world waits with bated breath for the promised change and greater development, the impact of which can be felt across the entire population. Whether its infrastructure, governance reform, education, better health, access to basic needs – there are plenty of conversations to be had. Storytelling, an essential part of Congolese culture, an oral tradition that is filled with narratives, stories, and songs, need to be told from the perceptions and opinions of the Congolese.

In the past, and especially in 2023 the power and bias of the international media came to the forefront.

Geopolitics and powerful Media Houses controlled and amplified the narrative that in their perception was important. It’s only natural to question the visibility of certain global issues over another. This raises the question about the impact of our voices when catastrophes and issues affecting an African country are narrated differently. Whether it’s election, unrest or other catastrophes affecting an African country, sometimes the western media does not consider it newsworthy because they do not have an in-depth understanding and information of the issues and disasters that affects this Continent.

There are a lot of positive changes happening as well, and these news worthy developments need to be made a part of the Global narrative. Positive or negative these conversations need to be had openly and who better than the Africans to be at the forefront of this narrative. The true voices of the Congolese need to be heard from their heart and soul and from their perspective. That’s when the true picture of the reality of their lives, struggles and aspirations emerges.

There is a need for a platform where the Congolese voices and the African voices can be heard, where views can be freely given not as a negative but as a positive approach to help bring the DRC to take its rightful place, not just in Africa but also in the World. Is it not our experiences from around the world when put together with like minded individuals – where greatness begins? Where stories and narratives become the basis for legacies.

DRConversations is the platform created as a gift for all the voices that need to be heard, for all the emotions that need to be expressed and to bring forth the dreams and aspirations of a nation on the cusp of development. Join this journey by sharing openly your knowledge and experience to make DRC a happy, positive and progressive Nation.

It’s time for another rumble in the jungle – Welcome to the conversations from the Congo.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             KS