Reuters published on 17 February 2023 an article titled "Congo Demands $17 Bln More in Infrastructure Investment from China Deal."
The DRC's state auditor is demanding an additional $17 billion in investment from a 2008 infrastructure deal with Chinese investors in exchange for Congolese cobalt and copper. China's embassy in Kinshasa said it was shocked by the request, adding it does not correspond to reality.
The Sentry published in November 2021 a study titled "The Backchannel: State Capture and Bribery in Congo's Deal of the Century."
DRC state enterprises used a middleman with accounts at the bank run by former President Kabila's brother to pump tens of millions of dollars into the pockets of the Kabila family, their associates, and businesses at crucial junctures in what are known as the Sicomines agreements. Chinese corporations colluded with power plays in the DRC to secure access to billions of dollars' worth of natural resources.
china-africa relations
