DRC Partners with Japan’s Firm to Boost Mining Sector with AI and Satellite Technology
DRC Signs Groundbreaking AI and Satellite Data Partnership with Japan’s Solafune to Revolutionize Mining Sector
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining industry reached a significant technological milestone on Friday, July 18, 2025, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Geological Survey of Congo (SGNC) and Solafune, a Japanese technology company specializing in satellite data mining and artificial intelligence.
The signing ceremony, held at the Ministry of Mines, was presided over by the Deputy Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of Mines and attended by high-level officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Embassy of Japan, experts from the SGNC, and a delegation from Solafune.
The MoU marks a bold step toward modernizing mineral exploration in the DRC. The partnership aims to harness AI-driven geospatial analysis to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and transparency of subsoil assessments.
Key objectives of the partnership include:
Leveraging artificial intelligence to interpret satellite data for faster, more precise subsoil mapping;
Building local expertise through skills transfer and technical capacity building for Congolese geologists and data scientists;
Enhancing mineral governance through improved geological understanding and data accessibility.
Minister of Mines Kizito Pakabomba reaffirmed the government’s dedication to transparent and innovation-led mining governance, aligning with President Félix Tshisekedi’s national vision to optimize the exploitation of the country’s vast mineral wealth for the direct benefit of the Congolese people.
“This partnership is not just about technology,” said a government spokesperson. “It’s about empowering our institutions and people with the tools needed to responsibly and effectively manage our natural resources.”
The collaboration between SGNC and Solafune positions the DRC at the forefront of next-generation mineral exploration, combining local ambition with global expertise to unlock the country’s full geological potential.
