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

Congo-Brazzaville possesses vast mineral and hydropower resources, yet the majority of its population remains without access to electricity. The country's economic situation contrasts sharply with its natural wealth. Despite Africa's economic competition largely revolving around raw materials and finished products, the Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to convert its mineral and hydropower wealth into electricity, industrial capacity, and productive work.

This disparity highlights the crucial distinction between resource endowment and development. The country's economic journey began under the oppressive regime of King Leopold II, characterized by forced labor and brutal extraction. Even after gaining independence, Belgium's colonial legacy continued to shape Congo's economic trajectory, resulting in a lack of indigenous administrative capacity and a failure to cultivate a broad Congolese political, managerial, and technical class.

The post-independence era, marked by political instability, including assassination, authoritarian rule, and wars, further weakened the nation's institutions. Despite its exceptional mineral endowment, including 75% of global cobalt production and 55% of global reserves, Congo has yet to transform its resources into domestic power and production, resulting in a continued reliance on foreign processing and manufacturing.

The country's most promising resource, the Congo River and its tributaries, holds immense hydropower potential, yet only about 21% of Congolese people have access to electricity. To unlock the full potential of its resources, Congo must prioritize building durable institutions, infrastructure, and a productive economy to capture the value created between extraction and the final product.