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New Effort Aims to Increase Transparency in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Artisanal Cobalt Supply Chain

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Congo

Studies show that heavy taxes and complex administrative burdens encourage extortion, smuggling, and debt bondage

KOLWEZI, Democratic Republic of Congo, March 21, 2023/APO Group/ — 

IMPACT (https://ImpactTransform.org/en/) is launching a new project tackling corruption in Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) artisanal cobalt sector with an effort to map all the taxes and fees supply chain actors are legally required to pay.

The Mapping Payments project, which is implemented in collaboration with the Congolese non-profit Action pour la Défense des droits humains (ADDH), kicked off today with a workshop in Kolwezi, Lualaba Province—the town at the heart of DRC’s artisanal cobalt mining sector. The workshop is the first in a series that brings together policymakers, mining and financial management experts, artisanal miners, traders, processors, exporters, and civil society to examine the various taxes, fees, and administrative steps currently in place for the artisanal cobalt sector and to document what is required by law.

“High taxes and the complexity of each administrative step in the supply chain is a major barrier to responsible sourcing. We’ve seen significant corruption and extortion by supply chain actors in the artisanal gold sector. Through this project, IMPACT can compare the experiences of the artisanal gold sector with the reality of the cobalt supply chain. By mapping and publishing all the steps and required payments using a multistakeholder consultative process—we hope to remove ambiguity around the taxation for artisanal cobalt and provide artisanal miners and traders with a reference guide they can turn to, to ensure they aren’t being extorted,” said Joanne Lebert, IMPACT’s Executive Director.

The project will allow for stakeholders to understand the artisanal cobalt sector and how it compares to DRC’s artisanal gold supply chain, building off IMPACT’s work in Ituri Province. Four technical notes were developed in 2022 (https://apo-opa.info/3JWEpWD) which outlined taxes, fees, and steps to transfer artisanal gold between provinces, export artisanal gold, purchase and sell artisanal gold in Ituri Province, and extract artisanal gold in Ituri Province.

DRC’s fiscal regime for the artisanal mining sector is burdensome, complex, and ambiguous. High taxes and complex administrative burdens are driving smuggling of its natural resources. According to an OECD report (https://apo-opa.info/3Z56eQT), up to 20 percent of the total value of production is being extorted from artisanal cobalt miners through unofficial payments by cooperatives or state agents.

High taxes and the complexity of each administrative step in the supply chain is a major barrier to responsible sourcing

The technical notes for artisanal gold have proven to be helpful reference guides for stakeholders, as they’ve demonstrated the legal steps in the supply chain. IMPACT had previously documented (https://apo-opa.info/3yYRnMU) 26 steps to export artisanal gold in Ituri Province, costing the exporter 12 percent of the value of the gold. Now the steps at export have been reduced to nine and overall costs have similarly decreased.

Since their distribution, supply chain actors in Ituri Province are using them to successfully deter demands for illegal payments.

Workshops will also address possible tax reforms needed to improve fiscal governance of the artisanal cobalt sector at the national and provincial levels. Stakeholders will work to create proposals that encourage transparency and efficiency in DRC’s artisanal cobalt supply chain.

Since 2011, IMPACT has supported the Ministry of Mines in the implementation of the six tools required by the ICGLR Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources, which includes the harmonization of legislation in all Member States. IMPACT has also supported human rights within DRC’s mining communities as well as supply chain due diligence through its Just Gold project (https://apo-opa.info/3TDWXOr) bringing the first conflict-free, traceable, and legal gold from DRC to the international market.

In the artisanal cobalt mining sector, IMPACT is also implementing the Her Security project (https://apo-opa.info/3n69Zbi) which investigates how to decrease child labour by increasing women’s livelihoods in artisanal cobalt mining communities. IMPACT has also supported efforts to develop the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Cobalt ESG Management Framework (https://apo-opa.info/3JBmy5Y), now known as the ASM Cobalt Criteria, a progressive set of expectations for the responsible sourcing of artisanal cobalt in DRC. IMPACT carried out national consultations and has facilitated restitution workshops on the updated criteria.

The Mapping Payments project is undertaken with funding provided by the European Union. Funding for complimentary activities is provided by Microsoft.

Learn more about the project here: https://apo-opa.info/3FFZF05

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of IMPACT.

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Genesis Energy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Discuss Energy Expansion at Congo Energy & Investment Forum

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Genesis Energy

Akinwole Omoboriowo II will discuss Genesis Energy’s plan to deliver 10.5 GW of power across Africa, highlighting how Nigeria’s power sector experience can inform the development of the Republic of Congo’s domestic energy grid and gas export potential

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, January 20, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Akinwole Omoboriowo II, CEO of Genesis Energy, will speak at the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in Brazzaville this March, where he will discuss the company’s plans to deliver 10.5 GW of power across Africa, with a focus on energy initiatives that align with the Republic of Congo’s energy development goals.

Genesis Energy is driving transformational power projects, including providing 334MW to the Port Harcourt Refinery in Nigeria and plans to produce 1 GW within the WAEMU region. In October 2024, Genesis and BPA Komani announced their strategic partnership to mobilize capital and facilitate critical infrastructure projects focused on renewable energy, particularly Battery Energy Storage Systems across Africa. Additionally, Genesis’ recent MOU with the U.S. Agency for International Development will mobilize $10 billion for green energy and renewable projects, supporting Africa’s transition to a sustainable energy future.

The inaugural Congo Economic and Investment Forum, set for March 25-26, 2025 in Brazzaville, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

During CEIF 2025, Omoboriowo will explore how Genesis’ successful energy infrastructure development projects in Africa, combined with private sector innovation, can guide the Republic of Congo in strengthening its energy security and achieving its decarbonization goals. By leveraging its expertise in clean energy and strategic partnerships, Genesis Energy is poised to play a key role in helping the Republic of Congo harness its energy potential and expand its regional energy influence.

The Republic of Congo’s renewable energy sector is in a phase of growth, with increasing interest in solar, hydro and wind energy projects. Battery energy storage capacities are also gaining traction as a vital component of the country’s energy infrastructure, helping to balance supply and demand. The government is focusing on diversifying its energy mix to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and enhance grid reliability. Looking ahead, the Congo aims to expand its renewable energy capacity and integrate storage solutions to meet growing domestic and regional energy needs while supporting environmental sustainability.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Eni, TotalEnergies Announce New Exploration Projects in Libya

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National Oil Corporation

Eni is launching three exploration plays, TotalEnergies is expecting promising results from its recent onshore exploration project, and other developments were shared during an upstream IOC-led panel at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit

TRIPOLI, Libya, January 19, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) and international energy companies TotalEnergies, Eni, OMV, Repsol and Nabors outlined key exploration milestones and strategies to advance oil and gas production in Libya at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2025 on January 18.

Among the key developments highlighted were TotalEnergies’ recent onshore exploration project and promising exploration opportunities in the Sirte and Murzuq basins.

“With 40% of Africa’s reserves, Libya remains largely untapped,” said Julien Pouget, Senior Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at TotalEnergies. Pouget shared TotalEnergies’ plans for 2025, including the completion of an onshore exploration project and new exploration in the Waha and Sharara fields. “We expect results next week,” he added.

Luca Vignati, Upstream Director at Eni, echoed optimism for Libya’s potential and outlined the company’s ongoing investment initiatives in the country. “We are launching three exploration plays – shallow, deepwater and ultra-deep offshore. No other country offers such opportunities,” Vignati stated. He also highlighted the company’s investments in gas projects, including over $10 billion for the Greenstream gas pipeline and a CO2 capture and storage plant in Mellitah.

Repsol affirmed its commitment to advancing exploration in Libya, focusing on overcoming industry challenges and achieving significant production milestones.

We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore

“Over the past decade, Libya has made remarkable efforts to fight natural field decline and encourage exploration,” said Francisco Gea, Executive Managing Director, Exploration & Production at Repsol. “We have reached 340,000 barrels per day. The two million target is within reach, and as international companies, we have the responsibility to bring capacity and technology.”

“Innovation is key to maximizing production and accelerating exploration. By deploying cutting-edge solutions, Nabors can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and ensure safer operations,” added Travis Purvis, Senior Vice President of Global Drilling Operations at Nabors.

Bashir Garea, Technical Advisor to the Chairman of the NOC, highlighted the country’s immense oil and gas potential. “We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore,” he said. He also pointed to Libya’s sizable gas reserves, noting, “Libya has 122 trillion cubic feet of gas yet to be developed. To unlock this potential, we need more investors and new technology, particularly for brownfield revitalization.”

“Our strategy spans the entire value chain. Strengthening infrastructure is essential to maximizing production and efficiency,” said Hisham Najah, General Manager of the NOC’s Investment & Owners Committees Department.

NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber and session moderator, underlined Libya as a prime destination for foreign investment: “Libya is at the cusp of a new energy era. The time for bold investments and strategic partnerships is now.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Libya’s Oil Minister: Brownfields, Local Investment Key to 2M Barrels Per Day (BPD) Production

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Libya’s Oil & Gas Minister outlined plans to boost production to 1.6 million bpd in 2025 and 2 million bpd long-term, with brownfield development and local investment at the core, during the Libya Energy & Economic Summit

TRIPOLI, Libya, January 19, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Libya is setting its sights on boosting oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) within the next two to three years, with brownfield development and local investment identified as critical drivers of this growth. Speaking at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) in Tripoli on Saturday, Minister of Oil and Gas Dr. Khalifa Abdulsadek outlined the country’s strategy to reach 1.6 million bpd by year-end and laid the groundwork for longer-term growth.

“There are massive opportunities here, massive fields that have been discovered, but a lot of fields have fallen between the cracks,” stated Minister Abdulsadek during the Ministerial Panel, Global Energy Alliance – Uniting for a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future. “We want to make sure local oil companies take part. We also want to leverage the upcoming licensing round to support our planned growth in the oil sector.”

The minister’s remarks were complemented by a strong call for international participation in Libya’s upcoming licensing round, signaling the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration and maximizing the potential of its energy sector.

Highlighting Libya’s vast natural gas potential – with reserves of 1.5 trillion cubic meters – Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, stressed the need for enhanced investment in gas projects. He pointed to ongoing initiatives like the $600 million El Sharara refinery as opportunities to stimulate economic diversification.

There are massive opportunities here, massive fields that have been discovered, but a lot of fields have fallen between the cracks

“Natural gas is available,” Hamel stated, adding, “It is the greenest of hydrocarbons and we see natural gas continuing to grow until 2050.”

The panel also tackled the global energy transition, emphasizing Africa’s unique challenges and the need for the continent to harness its resources to achieve energy security. Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), underscored the critical need for finance, technology and reliable markets to drive progress.

“At APPO, we have noted three specific challenges for the African continent. Finance, technology and reliable markets,” he stated, questioning whether Africa can continue to depend on external forces to develop its resources.

As one of Africa’s top oil producers, Libya holds an estimated 48 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. The country’s efforts to expand production, attract investment and drive innovation are central to the discussions at LEES 2025. Endorsed by the Ministry of Oil and Gas and National Oil Corporation, the summit has established itself as the leading platform for driving Libya’s energy transformation and exploring its impact on global markets.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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