I see MoM Antoinette N’Samba has been sent to Japan - Felix might’ve had enough of Xijin’s antics and may prefer Japan’s “win win” attitude for the DRC going forward.
To remind;
Antoinette N’Samba Kalambayi received the list of strategic minerals for Japanese investment in the DRC
December 19, 2022 arnbethnic
On Wednesday December 7, 2022, a business lunch in a Japanese restaurant brought together around a table the Congolese delegation, led by the Minister of Mines, Antoinette N’SAMBA KALAMBAYI and officials from the Natural Resources Agency and Fuels as well as those of JOGMEC , structures under the supervision of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, METI in acronym.
After the welcome speech by the Director General of the Natural Resources and Fuels Agency, Mr YUKI SADAMITSU, it was time for discussion.
Mr YUKI SADAMITSU presented the list of specific minerals that Japan needs to invest in the DRC, these are lithium, manganese, nickel and cobalt.
These strategic minerals are used in the manufacture of batteries and electric vehicles.
Reputed to be a major vehicle manufacturer, Japan would like to obtain supplies directly from the DRC.
For her part, the boss of the mines presented the investment opportunities in the DRC which holds the largest world reserve of these minerals which play an essential role in the energy transition.
In a win-win spirit,
According to Antoinette N’SAMBA KALAMBAYI, the DRC not only holds these minerals, but also, it needs the expertise and technology of Japan to carry out the local processing of the said minerals in order to constitute a value chain.
To conclude, YUKI SADAMITSU reassured the Congolese Minister of Mines that Japan will also take care of the social aspect through the construction of hospitals, schools and roads in order to boost community development.
It should be noted that the Congolese delegation headed by the Minister of Mines was made up of the Principal Advisor to the Head of State, Félix-Antoine TSHISEKEDI TSHILOMBO and Coordinator of the Japan Task Force, Mrs Kelly LUNDA MAWAYA, the Secretary General of Mines, Jacques RAMAZANI and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the DRC in Japan, Espé-Martin KAPONGO KAPONGO and the Consultant at the Embassy of the DRC in Japan, Pr LUKUMWENA NSENDA.