The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), located in Central Africa, is known for its mineral wealth, including cobalt and diamonds. The main income earners in this country are:
- a) Mining – Congo DRC is one of the world’s largest producers of minerals such as copper, diamonds, gold, cobalt and coltan. Cobalt, copper and coltan are in high demand around the world, as they are used in technology and electric vehicles.
- b) Agriculture – Many people practice subsistence farming, selling cash crops like coffee, rubber, palm oil, and cocoa. Agriculture contributes significantly to Congo DRC’s economy.
Here is a list of the top 10 richest people in DRC Congo.
- Evariste Boshab
- Evariste Boshab is a lawyer, academic, and politician who has held various significant positions in the DRC government. He is also a businessman who is well known for his connections to the political elite.
- This individual has several business interests, the most prominent being in the telecommunications sector.
- Wilfrid Nguesso
- Wilfrid Nguesso is the current CEO and majority owner of Copremar, a Congolese company providing offshore and port logistical services to the African maritime industry. This company, which was founded in 2014, has an annual revenue of 26 million dollars. Its client base includes principal oil exploration companies and major international ship owners from around the world.
- Apart from his interests in Copremar, this millionaire has invested in other maritime and shipping ventures, focusing on logistics.
- Albert Yuma
- Albert Yuma Mulimbi is one of the top 10 richest people in DRC Congo. He is a prominent businessman, the former Chairman of the DRC’s state mining company Gécamines, and quite influential in the mining industry.
- Most of this individual’s wealth is as a result of his business dealings in the mining industry. His political connections have also made him one of the most powerful and wealthy individuals in the country.
- Cyrille Mutombo
- Cyrille Mutombo is the current country director for Barrick God in DRC Congo, a global mining company that operates the Kibali Gold Mine in Northeastern DRC.
- His role in the company involves managing operations in the country and overseeing mining activities in the region. He is also involved in encouraging the use of responsible mining practices and improving the lives of local communities.
- Most of his wealth has been accumulated from employment and also the influential role he holds in the gold mining industry.
- Lucien Ebata
- Lucien Ebata is the founder and CEO of Orion Oil, an international oil trading and investment company with annual revenues of over $1.5 billion. This company’s operations cover the entire oil supply chain, including operation, production, marketing, and logistics.
- He is a prominent Congolese businessman and the publisher of Forbes Afrique, a magazine aimed at promoting investment opportunities in Francophone Africa.
- Raymond Ibata
- Raymond Ibata has gained most of his wealth from the insurance sector. He is the founder of Assurances et Réassurances du Congo (ARC), the largest insurance company in the country. This company controls more than a 50 percent market share of DRC’s general insurance market.
- This individual is a well-known prominent Congolese businessman and sports leader who has contributed significantly to the insurance sector in DRC Congo.
- Robert Levy
- Robert Levy is another of the top 10 richest people in DRC Congo. He has business interests in agriculture, logistics, and trading sectors.
- This individual is well known for his role as founder, chairman, and major shareholder in Trust Merchant Bank (TMB). He holds a 13% stake in TMB, which is one of the country’s leading banks, with total assets exceeding $1.7 billion and a significant market share of about 11%.
- He also has interests in construction, consultancy, and real estate. Most of his ventures are aimed at enhancing infrastructure and providing financial services tailored to local needs.
- Claude Wilfrid Etoka
- Claude Wilfrid Etoka, who is popularly known as Willy Etoka, began his business journey in the mid-1990s by importing tires into DRC Congo through his company Delta Marine. He then launched SARPD Oil in 2004 to trade in petroleum products. This company currently controls 60 percent of DRC Congo’s fuel imports and has an active presence in most French-speaking countries in Africa. Willy Etoka also owns Eco Oil Energy S.A., an edible oils company.
- This millionaire also has interests in agriculture and investment.
- Moise Katumbi
- Moise Katumbi is a politician, former governor of Katanga Province and businessman. He started his business career focusing on the fishing industry in Katanga, later on moving on into mining, construction, transport, and agriculture. He was the founder and owner of the company Mining Company Katanga (MCK), a company that serviced large mining operations in the Katanga.
- His wealth comes from his business ventures in mining, transport, real estate, and ownership of Tout Puissant Mazembe (TP Mazembe), a successful football club based in Lubumbashi.
- Paul Obambi
- Paul Obambi is the founder and chairman of Sapro Group, one of the largest conglomerates in DRC Congo. This company has 14 subsidiaries, including Sapro Mayoko (engaged in exploration and exploitation of iron ore, manganese, and potassium), Sapro Plastique (PVC manufacturing), and Sapro Savons (soap manufacturing). This company has also invested heavily in infrastructure.
- In addition to chairing the Sapro Group, Paul Obambi also has a large stake in Azur Telecom, a subsidiary of the telecommunication group Bintel. His net worth is estimated to be around $1 billion.
The top 10 richest people in DRC Congo, through their business interests, have played a significant role in the growth of the country’s economy over the years.