DRC Mining Week 2026: Marie-Gabrielle Opese Positions the DRC at the Heart of the Global Critical Minerals Economy
Speaking at the opening of DRC Mining Week 2026 in Lubumbashi, Marie-Gabrielle Opese, CEO of Standard Bank RDC, emphasized the strategic role that the Democratic Republic of Congo now plays in the global economy.
A Strategic Position
Copper, cobalt, and other critical minerals have become essential to the energy transition, electric mobility, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence.
According to Marie-Gabrielle Opese, the DRC has never held such a decisive position in the global economy. This growing importance is attracting increasing attention from investors, industries, financial institutions, and policymakers worldwide.
At the Center of Global Transformation
The theme of this year’s DRC Mining Week, “The DRC’s Shift: From Local Player to the World’s Leading Hub for Critical Minerals,” reflects this evolving reality.
For Opese, the DRC is no longer valued solely for the abundance of its resources, but also for its ability to play a central role in global economic transformation.
A Historic Opportunity
While the country’s strategic position is widely recognized, the challenge remains converting mineral wealth into sustainable prosperity.
The DRC has a unique opportunity to accelerate industrialization, attract investment, strengthen infrastructure, and create greater value from its resources.
For Standard Bank RDC, the country is no longer simply at the heart of global geology—it is increasingly becoming central to the world’s energy future.
MB from DRC Mining Week
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