DRC: At the 10th Alternative Mining Indaba, Arthur Kaniki advocates special economic zones to accelerate local mineral processing

Arthur Kaniki, a professor and researcher at the University of Lubumbashi, called for special economic zones to accelerate local mineral processing in the DRC. Speaking on October 29 in Lubumbashi during the second day of the 10th Alternative Mining Indaba, he said structural constraints make it difficult to establish an effective industrial ecosystem across the country in the short term. He proposed concentrating investment, infrastructure and supportive conditions—including suitable tax rules, streamlined regulations, reliable electricity and transport routes—in zones tailored to specific industries such as electrical cables and batteries.