Congo-Brazzaville: Congo's Wealth Is Not Yet Power

What the report says

AllAfrica published a guest column arguing that the Democratic Republic of Congo’s vast mineral and hydropower resources have not yet translated into broad-based power, prosperity or industrial growth. The piece, dated 24 August 2026 and attributed to Daniel T. Makokera, says the central issue is not the size of Congo’s natural wealth but whether institutions, infrastructure and policy can turn that wealth into electricity, jobs and domestic value.

The column highlights Congo’s role in global supply chains, noting its importance for cobalt, copper and other strategic minerals, while stressing that most processing and manufacturing still happen outside the country. It links this pattern to a long history of extractive rule, from colonial-era coercion to later political instability and conflict, which weakened state capacity and public administration. The article frames this as a structural reason the country remains rich in resources but poor in development outcomes.

The piece also focuses on energy, especially the Congo River and the Inga hydropower site, which it describes as a major opportunity for domestic electrification and regional power trade. It cites World Bank material indicating low electricity access and ambitions to expand access by 2030. The column argues that any industrial strategy must first improve reliable power, transmission, financing and contracts inside Congo before minerals can support wider manufacturing.

It also notes that foreign buyers, including European partners seeking critical minerals, have an interest in Congo’s output, but says this will matter for development only if more value is created locally. The broader context is Africa’s struggle to convert raw materials into finished products and more inclusive growth.