Democratic Republic of Congo appointed former mining executive Louis Watum Kabamba as mines minister in a cabinet reshuffle, the government said on Friday, ahead of key decisions on potential foreign investments and cobalt exports.
Kinshasa is engaged in peace talks in both Washington and Doha that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump hopes will bring an influx of Western investment into its vast reserves of lithium, tin, cobalt, copper and other critical minerals.
The talks aim to end fighting with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more so far this year.
Watum’s appointment, replacing Kizito Pakabomba, also coincides with a planned review by Congo, the world’s top cobalt supplier, of a ban on exports of the metal that took effect in February and was extended in June.
The government is weighing whether to prolong the ban or implement a quota system to regulate exports of the critical battery metal, while supporting domestic refining and industrialization.
Watum was minister of industry and the development of small and medium enterprises, prior to being made mines minister.
Known for his leadership at Ivanhoe Mines, Randgold’s Kibali project, Kamoa Copper SA and Congo’s chamber of mines, Watum is expected to champion investor-friendly reforms while demanding deeper local benefits, said Zack Hartwanger, head of commercial for Africa at Open Mineral, Swiss-based commodity trader.
“Watum is commercially minded and pro-mining. His approach is likely to prioritize trade and investment over political considerations, especially on cobalt,” Hartwanger said.
“He’s expected to support the proposed quota system, with allocations favoring larger producers who offer greater employment potential and social interventions, while ensuring smaller operators retain access to export markets.”
Watum could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday.
The new cabinet appointments also include two opposition politicians: Floribert Anzuluni as regional integration and Adolph Muzito as budget minister. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa and the foreign, defence and interior ministers were unchanged.
