• Afreximbank targets DRC mining value chain with new financing strategy

• Plan focuses on bankable projects, asset-backed and early-stage support

• Initiative expands to SMEs, local banks, and broader mining ecosystem

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) plans to expand across the mining value chain in the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on developing investment-ready projects.

The strategy was outlined in a statement released on April 23, 2026, following a mining value chain forum held on April 21 in Lualaba province. The event brought together mining operators, subcontractors, financial institutions and public-sector stakeholders to discuss financing constraints in the sector.

Afreximbank says the DRC’s mining potential remains underfunded due to a shortage of bankable projects. To address this, the bank plans to deploy several instruments, including asset-backed financing to mobilize long-term capital and a project preparation facility to support projects early in their development. The aim is to turn mining opportunities into projects that meet structured finance requirements.

The bank is also expanding its scope beyond extraction to cover the broader mining ecosystem. The plan targets mining companies, subcontractors, logistics operators, energy providers and small and medium-sized enterprises. The shift reflects a broader view that value creation depends not only on natural resources, but also on infrastructure, services and local players around mining sites.

Strengthening the role of local banks

Afreximbank is also relying on Congolese banks to mobilize financing. It plans to expand co-financing and guarantee mechanisms to increase lending capacity while managing risk. The strategy aims to unlock more domestic capital and improve credit flows to strategic sectors.

The bank also intends to roll out trade finance tools, including export pre-financing and factoring, to improve liquidity for businesses—particularly SMEs involved in mining subcontracting. These instruments could help firms with limited access to credit expand operations and integrate more deeply into the value chain.

The initiative builds on Afreximbank’s existing operations in the DRC. The bank is involved in developing special economic zones focused on battery and electric vehicle production under a regional project with Zambia. It is also financing a 200-megawatt hydroelectric project on the Lufira River to support the mining sector’s energy needs, including technical, financial and legal structuring.

Ronsard Luabeya, with Bankable