Local Transformation of Natural Resources for the Socio-Economic Development of DR Congo: Assets, challenges and perspectives

Abstract

Background: The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country very rich in mineral and non-mineral raw materials, it is described as a "Geological Scandal". The Congolese soil and subsoil contain a very great diversity of natural resources, notably strategic minerals, water resources, the three oil basins of which only one is exploited, large areas of arable land, and others. It has large reserves of copper, cobalt, zinc and several otherminerals which make it one of the major producers in the world. However, despite this diversity and theseparticularities in all areas, notably: geological, forestry, hydrological, agri-food and others, the DR Congo is on the list of the poorest countries on the planet. It is ranked by the World Bank among the 5 poorest nationsin the world in 2022, which is a worrying dilemma. Aim: Developing countries focus on industrialization, this taste shows its first steps at the beginning of the 18th century, a period during which all the great powersturned to the search for metals and especially advanced ores for their technological development and to enable social progress in its various aspects, even in the fields of science. It is on these pillars that our motivation is based. This work is a major contribution to the objective of diversifying the Congolese economy, sustainable management of raw materials, and the fight against fraud in the mining sector. Methodology: We involved the different trends, notably: (i) political decisionmakers, (ii) scientists who are researchers in universities, (iii) technicians who are in practice in the field, (iv) entrepreneurs, (v) civil society, etc. This is from the perspective of understanding, based on an overall analysis, where the DRC can begin to develop, especially with the political will. The contribution of each stakeholder was a way for us to understand the causes of poor living conditions of the population which is paradoxical to what is sold as the wealth of the soil and subsoil of the DRC with a view to offering it a lasting and immediate solution. Observations: The lack of political will is the blockage for the Congolese population to benefit from its natural resources; the lack of execution capacity by state institutions is hampering the development of the DRC. All Congolese, mining companies and politicians must understand the concern of the country which continues to be the shame of the 21st century. We must all awaken our conscience, in order to bring our country out of this paradoxical hat: “country rich in natural resources, with a very poor population”. Recommendations: Some recommendations were made. In broad terms, we have: manage partnerships with mining companies, fight against mining fraud and insecurity in the DRC, rationally manage natural resources, ensure geological knowledge of the DRC, have leaders with the capacity to execute effective.