Governance and management agreements for the Maritime Zone of Common Interest (ZIC) between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola, as well as the cooperation agreement with Uganda, were adopted during the 23rd Ministerial Council meeting on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the African Union Headquarters, under the presidency of Félix Tshisekedi. This initiative could have significant implications for the economic and environmental dynamics within the CEMAC and ECCAS regions, promoting enhanced regional cooperation and sustainable management of maritime resources.

Strengthening Regional Cooperation

These are two key projects. The first concerns the authorization for the ratification of the governance and management agreement for the ZIC, a strategic agreement between the DRC and Angola. The second bill concerns the ratification of the cooperation agreement and its amendment on the exploration of hydrocarbons and the exploitation of shared deposits between the government of the Republic of Uganda and the Executive Council of the Republic of Zaire, signed in Kampala on June 23, 1990, and January 25, 2008, respectively.

These recent ratification agreements in the hydrocarbons sector between the DRC and Angola, as well as between the DRC and Uganda, illustrate a growing willingness for cooperation among the countries in the region. These agreements could lead to joint initiatives in the hydrocarbons sector, while fostering economic and political integration within the CEMAC and ECCAS regions.

Infrastructure Development

The implementation of these agreements will require the development of oil and gas infrastructure, such as pipelines, storage facilities, and export terminals. In this regard, the Central Africa Pipeline System (CAPS), championed by the Central Africa Business Energy Forum (CABEF), stands out as a key initiative to address energy poverty in the Central Africa sub-region. This project will stimulate the local economy, create jobs, and improve transport and communication infrastructure in the affected areas.

Energy Security

By jointly exploiting energy resources, the countries in the region will be able to enhance their energy security. Increased production of oil and gas will reduce dependence on energy imports and stabilize energy supplies, which is critical for the economic and industrial development of the sub-region.

In summary, the ratification agreements in the hydrocarbons sector between the DRC, Angola, and Uganda could have positive impacts on the CEMAC and ECCAS regions in terms of regional cooperation, infrastructure development, revenue growth, energy security, sustainable development, and the strengthening of institutional capacities. These agreements represent an opportunity for the countries in the region to leverage their natural resources to stimulate economic growth and improve the living conditions of their populations.

The CABEF Team