In this episode, Tom Fox welcomes David Simon, Partner at Foley & Lardner, and Jack Korba Of Counsel at Foley & Lardner, and Olivier Bustin a Partner at Pinsent Masons about doing business in and with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This is the first part of a two-part series on this topic. The guests present a detailed manner to evaluate and manage going into a high-risk country or region.
The three argue that while governance and logistics risks remain, improved infrastructure and heightened strategic importance of the DRC’s critical minerals (including cobalt, coltan, lithium, manganese, and rare earths) make risks more manageable and the market more relevant, with noted U.S. government continuity across administrations. They discuss opportunities beyond mining, including power, logistics, banking/insurance, tech, entertainment, and education, while emphasizing infrastructure and bankability constraints. Korba outlines national security, sanctions/export controls, and supply chain “adjacency” risks, and the need for sector-specific analysis. The panel highlights “choke points” from concentrated power and weak institutions, and Bustin explains why local content/ownership rules and patronage dynamics require diligence beyond nominal ownership. They conclude with applying a risk-based compliance approach, devoting enhanced resources to higher-risk projects and counterparties.
Key Highlights
- Why DRC Now
- Beyond Mining Opportunities
- National Security Risks
- Choke Points Explained
- Local Ownership Diligence
- Risk Based Compliance
Resources
The Democratic Republic of the Congo as a Near-Term Strategic Opportunity for U.S. Companies Part 1
Tom Fox
To learn about the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and the modern compliance professional, check out my latest book, The Game is Afoot-What Sherlock Holmes Teaches About Risk, Ethics and Investigations on Amazon.com