The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to hold potential for South African enterprises, according to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic).Analysts are predicting a significant uptick in global refined cobalt production, projecting a remarkable surge of 38.5% to reach 223 000 tonnes by 2025, in contrast to the figures for 2021. Crucially, the DRC stands tall as the foremost global supplier of cobalt, accounting for approximately 70% of the metal's total production. This positions the DRC as an irreplaceable hub for cobalt, a resource in increasing demand due to its integral role in modern technologies.One of the most compelling aspects of this unfolding narrative is the extraordinary scope for South African exporters to tap into the DRC's burgeoning markets. Among these prospects, the mining sector shines exceptionally bright. The DRC warmly embraces offerings such as mining equipment and related products, propelling South Africa to its rightful position as the DRC's most significant foreign goods and services supplier, contributing over 20% to the nation's total imports.Nomalungelo Gina, deputy minister of dtic, affirms the significance of this bond, stating, "The DRC has evolved into a substantial marketplace for South African enterprises. Our investments span multiple pivotal sectors within the DRC's economy, including agriculture and retail, telecommunications, mining and construction, logistics, services, electricity, and infrastructure."The main products exported to the DRC, amongst others, are steel structures, machinery parts, cocks and valves for pipes, and parts for boring or sinking machinery.According to the dtic, there is a vast untapped potential for South African exporters to increase exports of capital goods into the DRC's mining industry, with potential exports of mining equipment and related products estimated to be around R569 million.
