By Ajong Mbapndah L
Few countries occupy a more strategic position in the global economy than the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the world races to secure critical minerals essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing, Congo stands at the center of a new geopolitical and economic contest. Yet for many Congolese citizens, the promise of this vast mineral wealth has too often failed to translate into meaningful prosperity.
For Remy Kamana Kankola, Director General of Kasai Corporation United SARL, addressing this contradiction has become a personal mission.
After spending nearly four decades in public service, rising through the ranks of the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) to the position of Technical Advisor with the rank of Director, Kankola retired with a deep understanding of both the opportunities and shortcomings within Congo’s economic system. Rather than stepping away from public life, he chose to embark on a new chapter—one focused on building a private-sector model that places communities, workers, and sustainable development at the heart of resource extraction.
Through Kasai Corporation United SARL, Kankola is championing a vision that combines mining development with agricultural expansion, job creation, and local value addition. He believes the Democratic Republic of Congo must move beyond its historic role as a supplier of raw materials and instead become a center for processing, industrialization, and shared prosperity.
In this exclusive conversation with Pan African Visions, Kankola reflects on his journey from public administration to entrepreneurship, discusses the future of critical minerals, outlines the partnerships he hopes to forge with American institutions, and explains why he believes Congo has a unique opportunity to transform its natural wealth into long-term economic development.
Interview
You spent nearly four decades in public service before entering the private sector. Looking back, what experiences most shaped the leader you are today?
My professional journey began 39 years ago when I joined the National Social Security Fund (CNSS). Over the years, I worked across multiple departments, including human resources, housing and collections, accounting, training, and social security operations.
Academically, I studied accounting, economics, and management, and I found that the practical experiences I gained throughout my career significantly enriched the theoretical knowledge I had acquired at university. Working across different functions gave me a holistic understanding of administration, finance, governance, and organizational leadership, all of which continue to guide me today.
How did your progression through various leadership roles at CNSS prepare you for executive responsibilities?
The diversity of assignments I received throughout my career proved invaluable. I worked in training and capacity building, served within urban directorates in Kinshasa, and spent nearly fifteen years as Chief Inspector responsible for large corporations.
These roles exposed me to complex institutional challenges and allowed me to collaborate with professionals from various government entities. By the time I concluded my public service career as Technical Assistant to the General Directorate, I had developed a broad perspective on leadership, accountability, and strategic decision-making.
What inspired your transition from public service to the private sector and the creation of Kasai Corporation?
During the liberalization of the mining sector, I witnessed firsthand the disconnect between the immense wealth generated by mining activities and the difficult living conditions experienced by many workers and surrounding communities.
I saw situations where significant profits were being generated, yet the benefits rarely reached the broader population. After retiring in 2023, I felt compelled to contribute toward addressing these imbalances. That conviction led me to pursue mining exploration and development with the objective of creating a more inclusive model that serves both investors and local communities.
What is the mission of Kasai Corporation United SARL?
Kasai Corporation was established to help address some of the inequalities that persist within resource-rich regions.
Our primary activities focus on mining exploration and exploitation, but we have deliberately integrated agricultural development into our business model. We believe economic inclusion is essential for social stability. By creating opportunities in both mining and agriculture, we seek to generate employment, support local livelihoods, and contribute to broader community development.
At this stage of your career, what brings you the greatest professional satisfaction?
My greatest satisfaction comes from the opportunity to contribute to a development model that places people at its center.
For too long, many resource-based economies have focused primarily on extraction while communities remain underserved. I am motivated by the possibility of building a model that promotes prosperity not only for businesses but also for workers, families, and future generations.
This means supporting wealth creation, creating stable employment, investing in local capacity, and ensuring that natural resources help finance public goods such as education and healthcare. Success should not be measured solely by financial performance but also by the positive and lasting impact we leave on society.
What are your long-term ambitions for Kasai Corporation?
Our ambitions are significant, but we recognize the challenges ahead.
One of the major obstacles facing local companies is access to financing for feasibility studies, market assessments, and technical research. Without these early-stage investments, many potentially transformative projects never advance.
We are exploring opportunities to access project preparation support, including grants available through organizations such as the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). Such support can help transform promising opportunities into bankable projects capable of attracting larger pools of international investment.
The global conversation around critical minerals has intensified dramatically. How do you view this debate, and what role should the DRC play?
The discussion around critical minerals is no longer simply about commodities. It has become a matter of economic competitiveness, technological advancement, and national security.
The Democratic Republic of Congo possesses some of the world’s most significant reserves of cobalt, copper, and lithium—resources that are indispensable for energy transition technologies and emerging industries.
However, the country’s role must evolve. We cannot remain primarily exporters of raw materials. Congo should leverage international partnerships and investment frameworks to develop processing facilities, industrial infrastructure, and manufacturing capabilities. That is how long-term value is created, skilled employment is generated, and national prosperity is strengthened.
What kinds of partnerships are you seeking from the United States?
We are particularly interested in partnerships that support project preparation, technical expertise, and long-term investment.
Organizations such as the USTDA can play an important role by funding feasibility studies and technical assistance programs that help projects meet international standards. Once projects become bankable, they are far more likely to attract financing from development finance institutions, private investors, and strategic partners.
For us, the ideal partnership is one that combines financial support with knowledge transfer, technical excellence, and a shared commitment to sustainable development.
How would you assess the current investment climate in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
I believe the investment climate is full of promise.
There is significant global interest in critical minerals, and Congo possesses exceptional resource potential. However, local companies often face structural constraints that prevent them from fully participating in emerging opportunities.
The key challenge is bridging the gap between resource potential and investment readiness. Improving access to project preparation funding, strengthening transparency, modernizing institutions, and enhancing technical capacity will make it easier to attract high-quality investment.
If these challenges are addressed, the DRC can position itself as one of the most attractive investment destinations in Africa while ensuring that economic growth benefits both investors and local communities.
Looking ahead, what is your ultimate vision for Congo’s development?
My vision is straightforward: a Democratic Republic of Congo where natural resources become a foundation for shared prosperity rather than persistent inequality.
I want to see a country where mineral wealth creates industries, industries create jobs, and jobs create thriving communities. I want future generations to inherit an economy that is diversified, competitive, and capable of delivering opportunity to all Congolese citizens.
That is the future we should be working toward, and that is the future I hope Kasai Corporation can help build.
*Culled from June Edition of PAV Magazine
