The agreement opens new opportunities for technical cooperation, skills development and investment across the Congolese oil and gas value chain.

KINSHASA — The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria have strengthened their economic partnership through a major cooperation agreement covering the hydrocarbons sector.

The agreement was signed in Algiers during the working visit of DRC Minister of State for Hydrocarbons Acacia Bandubola Mbongo. According to the Congolese Press Agency, the framework covers exploration, production, refining, petrochemicals, training and technological cooperation in the energy sector.

The visit brought Minister Bandubola together with Algerian Minister of State for Hydrocarbons Mohamed Arkab and senior officials from the two countries' energy institutions. The Algerian Press Service reported that the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across the hydrocarbons industry.

The partnership reflects the Congolese Government's commitment to diversifying its strategic alliances and mobilizing African expertise to accelerate the development of the country's energy resources.

Algeria brings extensive experience through its hydrocarbons industry and national energy institutions, including Sonatrach and the Algerian Petroleum Institute. This expertise will support knowledge-sharing, technical training and the development of Congolese professionals across the petroleum and gas industries.

A planned partnership between Sonahydroc and the Algerian Petroleum Institute will focus on training Congolese engineers and executives. Cooperation is also expected to support technology transfer, modernization and stronger management of the hydrocarbons value chain.

As detailed by Africa News Agency, the cooperation framework also encompasses oil and gas field development, transportation, marketing, digitalization and innovation.

For the DRC, the agreement represents an important opportunity to transform its natural-resource potential into expertise, productive capacity and long-term economic value. It can help strengthen national institutions, support local skills development and create a stronger foundation for future investment in exploration, processing and energy infrastructure.

The initiative also advances South-South cooperation by bringing together two major African countries around shared ambitions for energy sovereignty and continental development.