Kinshasa, August 23rd, 2026 (CPA).- The strategic partnership between the Belgian group Umicore and the Société du Terril de Lubumbashi (Society of the Lubumbashi Tailings Dam) to process germanium locally in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been discussed on Friday in Kinshasa, during an audience granted by the Head of State to the Belgian Ambassador, according to the Congolese Presidency. “The Head of State, Felix Tshisekedi, has received the Belgian Ambassador to DRC, Roxane de Bilderling, on Friday at the African Union (AU) City to discuss the strategic partnership between the Belgian group Umicore and the Société du Terril de Lubumbashi (STL),” the source has reported.
Backed by a financial guarantee from the Belgian government, the source has specified, this industrial project aims to put an end to the export of raw materials by mandating the local processing of germanium from ‘Big Hill’ and the transfer of technology to the Congolese workforce.
DRC currently produces around thirty (30) tonnes of germanium in a limited global market estimated at one hundred and eighty (180) tonnes. The Congolese germanium offers a strategic alternative on the international market in the face of export restrictions imposed by other major producing countries.
Military cooperation and preparations for the national dialogue
Furthermore, the projects relating to the implementation of military cooperation and preparations for the national dialogue have also been the subject of discussions between Felix Tshisekedi and the Belgian diplomat. “The meeting has also provided an opportunity to assess military cooperation — including the training of the 317th Rapid Reaction Brigade in Kindu, support for officers in Kananga and medical support at Kokolo camp — as well as political progress relating to preparations for the national dialogue,” the source has explained.
The military cooperation between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Belgium centres in particular on strengthening the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), the training of senior officers, and logistical and medical support.
It has been further strengthened in recent years, following high-level bilateral visits between the defence ministers of the two countries. As regards the inclusive national dialogue, President Felix Tshisekedi has promised to address the nation on this matter shortly, in order to provide further clarification.