The paradoxes of the DRC's ambitions in the hydrocarbon sector

In 2022, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) launched an unprecedented call for tenders for the allocation of 30 hydrocarbon blocks — 27 oil and 3 gas. Initially set for a duration of six months for oil blocks and three months for gas blocks, according to notices of interest manifestation of July 28, 2022, the process was extended several times before being cancelled two years later. Only the gas blocks located on Lake Kivu were allocated to three companies, with a view to exploiting methane gas and possible electricity production.