DRC President orders cooperation with Uganda over Lake Albert oil resources

President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has issued directives to strengthen cooperation with Uganda regarding the shared oil and gas resources in the Lake Albert transboundary basin. During a Council of Ministers meeting, the President emphasized that the country’s exceptional energy potential must serve as a primary driver for economic emergence, industrialization, and improved living standards.

To ensure optimal and equitable exploitation of these geological reservoirs, the President instructed the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Hydrocarbons to develop a roadmap for enhanced bilateral cooperation with Uganda. This move aims to attract investment and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the sector.

Environmental activist Moïse Alyegera has expressed concerns regarding the DRC’s progress in developing infrastructure compared to Uganda. While Uganda moves forward with major projects like Tilenga and Kingfisher—supported by TotalEnergies—Alyegera urges the DRC to utilize legal and commercial levers to prevent the unilateral drainage of shared resources and to ensure the nation benefits from the regional hydrocarbon developments.