On April 21, the "Japan-DR Congo Business Forum" was held at the United Nations University in Tokyo. Co-hosted by the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Japan and the nonprofit organization Japan Task Force, the forum aims to strengthen economic and technological ties between the two nations and promote sustainable partnerships based on mutual benefit. On the first day, government officials and economic organizations gathered for active discussions on the investment potential of the DRC and opportunities for Japanese companies to enter the market.

 

At the opening session, Takako Tsujisaka, Deputy Director-General of the International Trade Policy Bureau at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), took the stage and highlighted Africa’s — especially the DRC’s — economic growth potential. She noted the country’s vast land, abundant mineral resources, and rich cultural diversity, emphasizing the DRC’s potential to become a key economic partner for Japan. She also referred to the long-standing friendship between the two countries, citing the Matadi Bridge, built with Japanese assistance in 1983, as a symbol of this relationship.

 

As part of METI’s ongoing support, Tsujisaka introduced the public-private platform "Japan Business Council for Africa (JBCA)", support initiatives for local startups, and the DRC’s growing role as a supply hub for mineral resources crucial in the global decarbonization drive. She also discussed the Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum held last December, where a new framework for collaboration with startups was unveiled, outlining Japan’s direction for further expansion into Africa.

 

 

(Takako Tsujisaka, Director, METI)

 

Following that, the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Japan, Mr. Lukumwena Nsenda spoke about the significance of the forum, stating, “The Japan-DR Congo Business Forum is the first high-level platform in a series aimed at implementing roadmaps to foster a mutually beneficial partnership between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Japan. The goal is to leverage Japan’s technological expertise and financial strength to address key development challenges in the DRC, while also creating new investment opportunities for Japanese companies.”

 

He underscored the DRC’s strategic importance by referencing its historical contributions to the automotive industry through natural rubber exports, as well as its current role as a major supplier of cobalt—an essential component in electric vehicles (EVs).

 

He concluded by saying, “All good things begin and end with a handshake. I would like to thank you all for being here today for that very handshake. I would be very pleased to see each of us shake hands—as a way of saying, ‘Let’s get started with this new cooperation between Japan and the DRC.’”

 

 

(Ambassador Lukumwena Nsenda of the Democratic Republic of the Congo)

 

During the plenary session titled "Plenary 1," Ms. Pungu Luamba Rachel, Director of the National Agency for Investment Promotion (ANAPI) of the DRC, gave a presentation titled “The Land of Opportunity at the Heart of Africa.” She outlined the country’s national vision to become a lower-middle-income country by 2030 through agricultural reform, a middle-income country by 2040 through industrialization, and a high-income country by 2050 via a knowledge-based economy. She introduced strategies for economic diversification and inclusive growth, leveraging the country’s geographical and resource advantages.

 

 

Key investment opportunities were identified in six sectors: agriculture, mining, energy, NTIC (New Technologies of Information and Communication), infrastructure, and manufacturing. Backed by data, she pointed out that the DRC boasts over 800,000 square kilometers of arable land, holds more than 60% of the world’s cobalt reserves, and has one of Africa’s largest hydropower potentials (100,000 MW), making it a nation rich in natural resources. Sustainable development goals are being pursued through the construction of agricultural and industrial value chains, renewable energy usage, and telecommunications infrastructure improvements.

 

In a showcase of advanced technology applications by startups, Mr. Freddy Kankolongo of Japanese company Solafune presented initiatives using satellite data technology for environmental protection and resource management. He explained that satellite technology is not merely for monitoring, but is a powerful tool to accurately understand on-the-ground realities, informing policymaking and environmental measures. Referring to examples of collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Defense, he noted that similar sustainable growth models could be implemented in the DRC.

 

 

Mr. Mabolia Yenga Popol, Director of the Mining Cadastre (CAMI) of the DRC, provided an overview of the country’s mining license system and regulations. He detailed CAMI’s role in managing mining zones and issuing licenses, as well as efforts to improve transparency in the mining sector. He emphasized progress in enhancing access to investment information and digitalizing the permitting process to streamline procedures and lower entry barriers for foreign companies.

 

 

After a coffee break, Professor Yohei Kawamura of Hokkaido University delivered the final morning lecture titled “Smart Mining.” He introduced examples of 3D mine modeling using advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and VR, discussing the transformative potential of these tools in mine development.

 

 

In the afternoon session, major Japanese institutions including JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization), JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), and JOGMEC (Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security) presented past collaboration cases with African nations, particularly the DRC, and explained frameworks for technical and financial support. The forum continued on April 22, with more networking between public and private sectors of both countries. Amid global trends of economic growth and decarbonization, all eyes are on how cooperation between the resource-rich DRC and technology-driven Japan will evolve.

 

 

(IRuniverse Lin)

 

 

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