DRC Minister Confirms Near Completion of Dan Gertler’s Exit from Mining and Oil Assets
The Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Aimé Molendo Sakombi, announced on Thursday that the process of divesting Israeli businessman Dan Gertler from Congolese mining and oil assets is nearly complete.
“I can confirm, as a government, that the process is nearing its end. In a few weeks, the Ventora group (Dan Gertler) will be fully divested from all Congolese assets,” the minister stated at the Makutano forum in Kinshasa.
Gertler, a controversial figure in the DRC’s mining sector, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Congolese government in February 2022 through his company, Ventora.
The agreement aimed to resolve disputes and enable the state to regain full control of its mining and oil assets. While some authorities welcomed the deal, it faced strong criticism from civil society groups, including “Le Congo n’est pas à vendre,” who viewed it as unbalanced and detrimental to the DRC.
In December 2022, the government revealed the terms of the agreement, which confirmed Gertler’s commitment to ending his activities in the DRC.
However, concerns persist, particularly regarding the royalties Gertler has received, which are estimated at over $60 million since the agreement’s signing.
Minister Sakombi’s announcement signals a step toward greater economic sovereignty over the country’s natural resources. The full exit of Gertler from the DRC is highly anticipated by observers and civil society, who will continue to monitor its implications for public finances and mining sector transparency.
