Botswana at Its Best Zoom Sur L'afrique Des Grands Lacs

ZOOM SUR L'AFRIQUE DES GRANDS LACS BOTSWANA AT ITS BEST

BELGIUM I LUXEMBOURG I AFRICA I CARIBBEAN I PACIFIC Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Agriculture I Belgique, Luxembourg, Afrique, Caraïbes, Pacifique Kamer van Koophandel, Nijverheid en Landbouw I België, Luxemburg, Afrika, Caraiben, Pacific Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture I Belgium, Luxembourg, Africa, Caribbean, Pacific

56e année I Trimestriel I Avril, Mai, Juin 2021 Ensemble, allons plus loin !

La Trust Merchant Bank (TMB) est une des plus importantes banques commerciales en République Démocratique du Congo. Banque universelle et de proximité, la TMB se déploie à travers le plus vaste réseau d’agences bancaires du pays. Reconnue internationalement comme la meilleure banque du pays, la TMB est un précurseur et un innovateur dans le secteur bancaire national. Première banque congolaise à proposer un service de mobile banking, la TMB demeure le leader incontesté Gbadolite dans le domaine, avec PEPELE Mobile, Gemena accessible sur tous les réseaux mobiles du pays et sur tout type de téléphone. Bunia Kisangani Banque de l’inclusion financière, Beni Butembo la TMB gère un compte bancaire sur Mbandaka cinq en RDC. Elle est la première Logu banque du pays en nombre de Goma clients et en réseau d’agences, Bukavu et la seconde en taille de bilan. Kindu Bandundu Lodja Uvira

Kinshasa Kikwit Kenge Matadi Mbanza- Ngungu Kananga

Muanda Boma Mbuji-Mayi Kalemie Kabinda Manono Mwene-Ditu

Kilwa Kamina Fungurume Kolwezi L’ancrage national de la TMB, son personnel Kamoa Likasi expérimenté à l’écoute des clients, son professionnalisme et sa gamme inégalée de Lubumbashi produits et services constituent la clé de son Kasumbalesa succès depuis plus de quinze ans.

PERSONAL BANKING - BUSINESS BANKING - MOBILE BANKING I www.tmb.cd CHAMBRE DE Avril, Mai, Juin 2021 COMMERCE, D’INDUSTRIE ET D’AGRICULTURE ASBL

KAMER VAN KOOPHANDEL, NIJVERHEID EN LANDBOUW VZW

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE NPO

SECRETARIAT Rue Montoyerstraat 24 B5 1000 Brussels T +32 2 512 99 50 [email protected] www.cbl-acp.be

MANAGING DIRECTOR SOMMAIRE Jacques EVRARD EDITO ...... 2 EXECUTIVE MANAGER Corine COURBET FOCUS LA REGION DES GRANDS LACS ...... 4 République Démocratique du Congo ...... 6 MANAGER Didier VERHELST Uganda ...... 9 Rwanda ...... 13 DEPUTY MANAGER Jennifer LEFEBURE Burundi ...... 16

RESPONSIBLE OF THE MAGAZINE FOCUS BOTSWANA ...... 20 Michael STENGER Avenue Huart Hamoir 48 Interview with H.E. Samuel O. Outlule – Ambassador of 1030 Brussels T +32 2 242 05 10 the Republic of Botswana to the Kingdom of Belgium [email protected] www.idealogy.be and Head of Delegation to the European Union ...... 22 Minerals development company Botswana ...... 25

CBL-ACP: FINANCIAL DIVISION ...... 28

EDITOR Nicolas STENGER CBL-ACP: EVENTS ...... 30

SALES & ADVERTISEMENTS CBL-ACP: STAFF & MEMBERS ...... 32 Nada NEBBOU

GRAPHIC DESIGN Céline BACHO Louise RIQUIER

COVER BY Céline BACHO VIP MEMBERS

CHIEF EDITOR Nicolas STENGER

www.perspectives-cblacp.eu COMMUNICATION AGENCY

PICTURES www.deme-group.com www.transautomobile.com www.idealogy.eu © shutterstock

EDITO

Le défi : Désenclaver l’Afrique des Grands Dodoma et abouti à Dar es-Salaam et celui représente l’Afrique des Grands Lacs et les Lacs qui connecte Lusaka à Dar es Salaam. opportunités qu’elle offre.

Cette fois c’est l’Afrique des Grands Lacs que Force est de constater que les performances notre revue met en évidence. de ces corridors sont assez faibles, occa- The challenge: opening up the Africa of the sionnant des surcoûts massifs sur toutes Great Lakes Loin des échanges maritimes et portuaires, les portions des infrastructures routières et sources inépuisables de commerce interna- ferroviaires. This time our magazine puts the Africa of the tional et d’enrichissement national, cette ré- Great Lakes in the spotlight. gion, ne disposant d’aucun accès direct à la À cela s’ajoute une hyper-saturation des sites mer, s’est constituée en formant une enclave portuaires de Mombasa et de Dar es Salaam. Miles away from maritime and port related territoriale distincte au sein du Continent. Perte de temps, perte d’argent, mais aussi traffic, far from inexhaustible international prolifération de barrières non-tarifaires (bar- commercial sources and domestic richness Les Grands Lacs en question (ceux de la val- rages routiers informels, manque d’harmoni- this landlocked region is characterised as a lée du Rift) donnent leur nom à une sous-ré- sation des procédures frontalières) autant de distinctive territorial enclave at the heart of gion complexe, carrefour entre l’Afrique facteurs qui contribuent à des performances the Continent. The Great Lakes in question Centrale et l’Afrique de l’Est. médiocres. (those of the Rift valley) give their name to a complex subregion at the crossroads A l’inverse de la plupart des autres régions Et pour couronner le tout, les programmes between Central and Eastern Africa. du Continent, les anciennes frontières de cer- de coopération supra-étatique aboutissent tains royaumes y ont été largement conser- souvent à des processus décisionnels qui Contrary to most of the other regions of vées, entraînant ainsi localement une meil- excluent les pays enclavés, aggravant la dé- the Continent, here the borders of certain leure cohérence économique et politique. pendance économique et politique de ces ancient kingdoms have largely remained in- derniers vis-à-vis de leurs voisins. tact, resulting locally in an better economic Pourtant la zone en question, située à la join- and political coherence. Yet at the same time ture des zones francophones et anglophones, Ceci pour dire que l’insertion nécessaire de the area, situated also at the seams of French est bien trop diversifiée pour être considérée la Zone des Grands Lacs dans les méandres speaking and English speaking territories, is comme d’un seul tenant. du marché international passera impérati- far too diversified to be considered an inte- vement par une revalorisation des corridors grated entity. Il s’ensuit que, séparés par des frontières logistiques existants. Et seul l’adaptation de administratives strictes, les pays qui la com- ces derniers aux réalités économiques d’au- Separated by strict administrative borders posent ne donnent pas une image homogène jourd’hui et surtout de demain permettra de the countries being part of the Great Lakes des ressources et des richesses qu’ils abritent les consolider et de les mettre à niveau afin don’t paint a homogenous picture in terms et doivent être analysés au travers du prisme de leur permettre de remplir pleinement leur of the resources and wealth they contain. des différents facteurs structurels contempo- rôle d’interface entre les centres d’activités And so they have to be analysed through rains qui leur sont propres. économiques régionaux et la façade mari- the prism of their own different structural time orientale kenyane et tanzanienne. contemporary factors. Above all, in order to Mais lesdites ressources et richesses, essen- be correctly valorised, the aforementioned tielles pour le développement économique Ce désenclavement devra aussi être adminis- resources and wealth, so essential for the et politique de la région, réclament surtout, tratif avec des objectifs de libéralisation in- economic and political development of the pour être valorisées, des solutions adaptées terne, de coopération régionale, d’harmonisa- region, require solutions adapted to 21st cen- aux réalités de notre 21ième siècle. tion et de désengagement progressif de l’État. tury realities. Des accords douaniers ainsi qu’un renforce- C’est sur base de ce constat que se pose ment institutionnel régional permettraient de It is based on this observation that the ques- la question du désenclavement, thème qui résoudre déjà de nombreux obstacles. tion of opening up the enclave should be prend de l’ampleur à mesure que la mon- examined. The topic gains more attention as dialisation gagne du terrain et contraint les En conclusion, dresser un bilan exhaustif du dé- globalisation grows and lures different eco- différents acteurs économiques à y participer senclavement de l’Afrique des Grands Lacs re- nomic actors, to participate at any cost, if at coûte que coûte s’ils veulent peser dans le lève de l’impossible. Mais il est évident que cette least they want to make a mark on the inter- système économique international. Ce dé- région, aux richesses naturelles et humaines im- national economic system. senclavement sera d’abord physique. menses, ressources souvent inexploitées voire négligées, dégage une capacité de croissance First of all freeing the enclave will have to be Tout repose aujourd’hui logistiquement sur supérieure à bien d’autres régions. done geographically. Today logistically eve- les trois corridors économiques existants : ce- rything hinges on three existing economic lui qui rejoint Kampala au port de Mombasa Un opérateur économique averti aura vite corridors: one that connects Kampala to the via Nairobi ; celui qui part de Kigali, passe par compris le potentiel de développement que port of Mombasa via Nairobi; another one / 3

leaving Kigali and reaching Dar es Salaam landse rijkdom, wordt deze regio zonder toe- Als om alles te bekronen zijn er nog de suprana- by way of Dodoma; and lastly one that links gang tot de zee gekenmerkt als een bijzon- tionale samenwerkingsprogramma’s. Die leiden Lusaka to Dar es Salaam. The score sheet of dere territoriale enclave in het hart van het vaak tot besluitvormingsprocessen die landen these corridors isn’t very solid, incidentally Continent. De Grote Meren waarvan sprake in een enclave uitsluiten, waardoor hun econo- leading to massive incremental costs so as (deze van de Grote Slenk vallei) hebben hun mische en politieke afhankelijkheid in vergeli- to sustain the road and rail infrastructure. naam gegeven aan een complexe sub regio jking met landen uit hun buurt nog toeneemt. aan het kruispunt tussen Centraal en Oostelijk To make things worse there is the hyper-sa- Afrika. Dit alles maar om duidelijk te maken, dat de turation of the ports of Mombasa and Dar es noodzakelijke inclusie van het Grote Meren Salaam. The waste of time and money, but also In tegenstelling tot de meerderheid van an- gebied in de meanders van de internationale the proliferation of rate-unrelated obstruc- dere regio’s in het Continent zijn de meeste markt imperatief en alleen zal verwezenli- tions (informal road blocks, lack of harmoni- grenzen van de oude koninkrijken hier in- jkt worden door een herwaardering van de sation in cross border procedures) are factors tact gebleven. Het resulteert lokaal in een bestaande logistieke corridors. En enkel de contributing to the poor performance. betere economische en politieke coherentie. aanpassing van deze corridors aan de heden- Tezelfdertijd echter is de regio, die ook op de daagse maar ook aanstaande economische And to cap it all supra-state cooperation pro- grens ligt tussen Franstalige en Engelstalige vereisten zal een consolidatie en een kwa- grams often culminate in decision-making gebieden, te gediversifieerd om van een liteitsverbetering tot aanvaardbaar niveau processes which exclude enclaved coun- geïntegreerde entiteit te kunnen spreken. toelaten. Alleen dat zal het hen mogelijk tries, thus deepening the economic and po- maken hun rol van interface tussen de econo- litical dependence of the latter vis-à-vis their Afgescheiden door strikte administratieve mische centra en de oostelijk gelegen kustlijn neighbours. grenzen vormen de landen, die deel uitmaken van Kenia en Tanzania voluit te spelen. van de Grote Meren, geen homogeen ge- All of this goes to say that the much needed in- heel voor wat betreft beschikbare middelen De ontsluiting van de enclave dient ook op ad- sertion of the Great Lakes area into the mean- en rijkdom. En dus moeten ze geanalyseerd ministratief vlak verwezenlijkt, met objectie- ders of the international market is subject to worden door een prisma van de verschillende ven als interne liberalisatie, regionale coöpe- the revalorisation of existing logistical cor- hedendaagse en structurele factoren, die hun ratie, harmonisering en geleidelijke terugtrek- ridors. And only aligning these with the requi- eigen zijn. Om ze correct te kunnen valoriseren king van de overheid. Douane akkoorden en rements of the actual and upcoming economic vereisen de eerder aangehaalde middelen en ook een institutionele regionale versterking realities of consolidation and upgrading will rijkdom, zo essentieel voor de economische zouden al vele obstakels oplossen. allow them to fully play their role of interface en politieke ontwikkeling van de regio, vooral between the regional economic centres and oplossingen in lijn met 21-eeuwse realiteiten. De conclusie mag zijn dat een exhaustief the eastern seaboards of Kenya and Tanzania. bilan opstellen van de ontsluiting van het Het is op basis van deze vaststelling dat de Afrika van de Grote Meren haast onmogeli- This access improvement of the enclave will kwestie van de ontsluiting zich stelt, een the- jk is. Toch is het evident dat deze regio met also have to be achieved administratively with ma overigens dat groeit in reikwijdte naarmate haar natuurlijke en menselijke rijkdommen, objectives of internal liberalisation, regional de globalisering terrein wint en verschillende vaak vergeten en onaangeboord, over groei- cooperation, harmonisation and progressive economische actoren worden meegesleept mogelijkheden beschikt superieur aan deze withdrawal of the state. Custom agreements om er kost wat kost in te participeren zodat van andere regio’s. as well as a regional institutional reinforcement ze kunnen wegen op het internationaal eco- would already solve many obstacles. nomisch systeem. Een goed geïnformeerde economische operator zou vlug begrijpen welk potentieel aan In conclusion drawing up a substantial balance Eerst en vooral zal de ontsluiting van de ontwikkeling het Afrika van de Grote Meren bie- sheet of opening up the Africa of the Great enclave fysiek moeten gebeuren. Vandaag dt en de opportuniteiten ervan te baat nemen. Lakes seems impossible. But evidently this steunt de logistiek op drie bestaande eco- region with its immense natural and human nomische corridors: één daarvan verbindt resources, often untapped and overlooked, Kampala via Nairobi met de haven van provides a capacity of growth superior to Mombasa; een andere verlaat Kigali en be- many other regions. reikt Dar es Salaam langs Dodoma; en de laatste vormt de link tussen Lusaka en Dar es An economic operator well aware of this Salaam. We kunnen alleen maar vaststellen, would quickly understand the development dat deze corridors zwak presteren, occa- potential of the Africa of the Great Lakes and sioneel uitmondend in enorme extra kosten the opportunities it offers. gerelateerd aan alle onderdelen van de wegen spoorinfrastructuur. De uitdaging: de ontsluiting van het Afrika van de Grote Meren Voeg hier nog de oververzadiging aan toe van de havensites van Mombasa en Dar es Deze keer belichten we met ons magazine het Salaam en je krijgt tijdverlies, kostenverslin- Afrika van de Grote Meren. ding en ook de proliferatie van niet-tariefma- tige hindernissen (informele wegblokkades, Ver weg van maritieme en haven gebonden gebrek aan harmonisatie van douane forma- trafieken, ver weg ook van onuitputtelijke, in- liteiten); allemaal factoren die bijdragen aan GUY BULTYNCK ternationale commerciële bronnen en binnen- het matig presteren. Chairman CBL-ACP - PAYS - Burundi, République Démocratique du Congo, Ouganda et Rwanda

- POPULATION - 170 000 000 (environ)

Lac Kyoga

- ADMINISTRATION - Lac Albert Burundi, Kenya, Lac Turkana République Rwanda Lac Edward Démocratique du Congo, Malawi, Ouganda Kenya Mozambique, Lac Kivu Ouganda, Rwanda, Burundi Tanzanie, Zambie République Lac Victoria Démocratique du Congo Tanzanie Lac Tanganyika - ALLIANCES EXISTANTES - Lac Rukwa Communauté économique Lac Mweiu des États de l’Afrique centrale (CEEAC) : 1976 Conférence internationale Malawi sur la région des Grands Lacs (CIRGL) : 2008 Lac Malawi

Zambie

- ACTIVITÉS ÉCONOMIQUES - Agriculture, sylviculture et pêche, valeur ajoutée Mozambique (du PIB)

Burundi : 28.9 % (2019) Kenya : 34.1 % (2019) Malawi : 25.5 % (2019) Mozambique : 26.0 % (2019) Ouganda : 23.1 % (2019) République Démocratique du Congo : 20.0 % (2019) Rwanda : 23.5 % (2019) Tanzanie : 28.7 % (2017) Zambie : 29.0 % (2019) Focus LA RÉGION DES GRANDS LACS 6 / LA RÉGION DES GRANDS LACS

RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO

PERSPECTIVES ÉCONOMIQUES La faiblesse du secteur manufacturier, la LA RDC À L’INTERNATIONAL porosité des frontières et la faiblesse des liens La République Démocratique du Congo est entre les régions, ont fait de la RDC une éco- La RDC est membre de l'Union africaine, de la le plus grand pays d’Afrique subsaharienne, nomie basée sur les importations. Les biens Communauté de développement de l'Afrique mais il est surtout le pays africain avec le plus de consommation et les denrées alimentaires australe (CDAA), du Marché commun de grand potentiel hydroélectrique et c’est l’un à bas prix introduits en contrebande en RDC l'Afrique orientale et australe (COMESA), de de plus importants producteurs d’étain, de depuis l'Angola et la Zambie ont réduit la la Communauté économique des États de cuivre et de cobalt au monde. Les prix favo- production locale et entraîné une fuite des l'Afrique centrale (CEEAC), de l'Organisation rables des matières premières ont facilité capitaux à grande échelle. pour l'harmonisation du droit des affaires en une croissance économique robuste de 2001 Afrique (OHADA) et de la Communauté éco- à 2014, mais l'absence de volonté politique, la Il existe trois grands pôles économiques nomique des pays des Grands Lacs (CEPGL). faiblesse des institutions et la persistance des disposant de bases commerciales ou indus- La RDC a signé, mais pas encore ratifié, l'Ac- conflits dans certaines régions ont continué à trielles importantes dans le pays. Kinshasa, cord de libre-échange continental africain. miner la résilience. la capitale, est un centre économique dynamique où la plupart des entreprises La RDC a atteint une croissance économique étrangères opèrent. Les provinces du Haut- INVESTISSEMENTS ÉTRANGERS de 4.4 % en 2019, principalement soutenue Katanga et du Lualaba forment le pôle écono- par les exportations de cobalt et de cuivre. mique du sud. Lubumbashi, la deuxième ville Dotée de ressources naturelles exception- L’agriculture représente 21 % du PIB, l’extrac- de la RDC, est située à proximité de l'un des nelles, d’importantes terres arables et d’une tion minière et pétrolière 33 % et les services plus grands gisements de cuivre du monde. immense biodiversité, la RDC a tout pour 47 %. Cependant, le pays a connu en 2020 Aujourd'hui, la région abrite de nombreuses devenir un pays riche, mais c’est sans comp- sa première récession en 18 ans à cause mines nationales et internationales. La zone ter sur un climat des affaires complexe, un du COVID-19 avec une croissance à 0.8 %. d'activité économique, de Bukavu et Goma grave manque d’infrastructure et un taux de La contribution des activités non extractives à la frontière rwandaise, à la ville portuaire pauvreté très élevé. du pays s’est effondrée de 4.1 % en 2019 à fluviale de Kisangani à l'ouest, en passant par -1.9 % en 2020. L’industrie minière a elle pro- les mines d'or du Bas-Uele et de l'Ituri, consti- Selon le rapport 2020 de la CNUCED, les gressé de 6.9 % en 2020 (contre 1 % en 2019) tue le troisième pôle économique du pays. IDE en RDC s’élevaient à 1.6 milliard USD en grâce à la demande chinoise. Malgré cela, le La région est confrontée à une instabilité 2019 (-0.1 milliard USD par rapport à 2018), déficit des comptes courants est passé de chronique à cause d’un conflit entre diverses principalement dans le secteur minier et 3.8 % du PIB en 2019 à 5.4 % en 2020. Il n'a factions armées qui se battent entre elles et des télécommunications. Les principaux été que partiellement financé par des entrées contre le gouvernement de la RDC. Malgré investisseurs sont l’Afrique du Sud, la de capitaux, ce qui a entraîné une baisse des des conditions difficiles, la région abrite un Belgique et la Chine. réserves de change. Le déficit public a fai- certain nombre de mines industrielles et blement augmenté de 0.8 % à 1.9 % du PIB. artisanales extrayant du cobalt, de l'or et des La RDC est classée 183e (sur 190) au classe- L’inflation est passée de 4.5 % en 2019 à 13 % diamants, ainsi qu'un riche secteur agricole ment Doing Business, 170e (sur 180) à l'indice en 2020 et le franc congolais s’est déprécié présentant un fort potentiel d'exportation. de perception de la corruption et 175e (sur de 12.4 % par rapport au dollar américain 189) à l'indice de développement humain. entre 2019 et 2020. L'accession de Félix Tshisekedi à la présidence en janvier 2019 a représenté la première tran- Les obstacles à l’entrée sur le marché peuvent Le PIB devrait croître à nouveau de 3.3 % sition pacifique du pouvoir dans l'histoire devenir importants en RDC. L'absence d'élec- en 2021 et de 4.5 % en 2022, essentielle- du pays. Avec l’appui retrouvé auprès du tricité et d'eau oblige souvent les entreprises ment grâce à la hausse des prix des prin- Parlement, le président Tshisekedi a nommé à assurer leur propre approvisionnement. cipaux produits miniers et à la reprise de un nouveau Premier Ministre et remanié la Le dédouanement de produits importés est la consommation et de l’investissement. coalition gouvernementale. Il a maintenant souvent long et compliqué. Les entreprises La balance courante devrait cependant rester les coudées franches pour mener sa politique font appel à un agent local qui peut faciliter structurellement déficitaire (4.0 % du PIB) sur de redressement du pays et répondre aux le processus. En outre, le système fiscal est 2021-2022. attentes de la population. compliqué et son application souvent arbi- / 7

traire. Il est fortement conseillé de travailler pour les minéraux stratégiques (jusqu’à 10 %) Nous avons suivi avec attention avec un homologue local qui peut s'occuper et ouvre la voie à l'annulation des clauses de l’évolution de la RDC depuis les de ce processus. La corruption et la bureau- stabilisation de 10 ans, désormais limitée dernières élections de décembre cratie constituent un frein constant à l'acti- à 5 ans. Il comprend plusieurs dispositions 2018. Un nouveau Gouvernement vité commerciale. Les lois sont appliquées de relatives à la traçabilité des revenus et à la est à pied d’œuvre depuis avril der- manière incohérente et le processus judiciaire transparence du secteur. Il a introduit des nier, avec 80 % de nouvelles figures. est lent. C'est pourquoi les entreprises ont amendes élevées pour les entreprises qui ne Et une moyenne d’âge de 47 ans. souvent besoin d'un conseiller juridique local. respectent pas ces dispositions. Il faut maintenant transformer l’essai en démontrant que la compétence, la Malgré les risques et l’environnement des rigueur dans la gestion débouchent LA BELGIQUE ET LA RDC affaires complexe de la RDC, l’environnement sans tarder sur de réelles améliora- particulièrement lucratif du secteur minier tions en matière de Gouvernance, En 2020, la RDC était le 61e client et le 88e reste très intéressant pour les entreprises pour le plus grand profit d’une popu- fournisseur de la Belgique. Il importait ayant une grande tolérance au risque et l’ha- lation qui a trop longtemps été laissée principalement des produits chimiques bitude d’opérer dans des environnement fra- pour compte. (28.8 %), des machines et équipements giles et difficiles. (17.1 %), et des produits minéraux (11.4 %) Avec notre représentant en RDC, de la Belgique et exportait des pierres pré- Les principaux sous-secteurs porteurs sont : Monsieur Jean-Philippe Waterschoot, cieuses (62.9 %), des denrées alimentaires nous maintenons le contact avec les (15.4 %) et des métaux communs (12.0 %) c Extraction de cuivre et de nickel nouvelles équipes, pour préparer de vers la Belgique. La balance commerciale c Extraction d'or prochaines rencontres et nous mettre penchait en faveur de la Belgique pour c Extraction de cobalt à l’écoute des priorités qui sont en 274.4 millions €. c Location et financement d'équipements train d’être définies. Un projet de miniers Convention bilatérale de Protection c Implantation d’entités de traitement et des Investissements entre la Belgique SECTEURS PORTEURS de transformation des produits miniers et la RDC est en bonne voie d’être rati- fié, ce sera un signal important pour c TIC Agriculture les partenaires investisseurs belges. c Agriculture et industrie agroalimentaire La volonté de laisser aux Provinces c Energie La RDC compte assez de terres arables et un une plus grande autonomie dans la c Infrastructure et construction potentiel d’irrigation impressionnant pour définition de leurs priorités est cer- c Industrie pétro-gazière devenir une puissance agricole mondiale. tainement un signal positif. A condi- c Industrie minière Etonnamment, alors que le secteur repré- tion que les moyens suivent. Avec c Equipements médicaux sente près de 60 % des emplois, il ne parvient l’espoir de voir le trouble-fête COVID pas à assurer la sécurité alimentaire du pays. rapidement perdre son agressivité et Le gouvernement a annoncé que l’agricul- assister à une relative normalisation SECTEURS D'INTÉRÊT ture est une priorité, et pourtant le secteur d’ici la rentrée de septembre. n’a jamais reçu plus de 2 % du budget national Industrie minière (dont 80 % servent à payer les salaires des fonctionnaires). La RDC dispose d’immenses réserves encore inexploitées d’or, de cobalt et de cuivre à Les principales cultures commerciales sont haute teneur. La production nationale de le café, l'huile de palme, le caoutchouc, le cobalt représentait 70 % de la production coton, le sucre, le thé et le cacao. Les cultures mondiale en 2019. Le cuivre de certaines vivrières comprennent également le manioc, mines est d’une qualité nettement supérieure les plantains, le maïs, les arachides et le riz. à la moyenne mondiale. La production agricole commerciale reste limitée, la plupart des producteurs pratiquant En 2018, un nouveau code minier a remplacé une agriculture vivrière de subsistance. le code minier de 2002, qui était particuliè- rement favorable aux entreprises minières. Il existe des opportunités d’investissement Ce nouveau code augmente les impôts sur les dans le secteur agricole allant de la produc- bénéfices, double la participation du gouver- tion à la commercialisation, afin de créer une THIERRY CLAEYS BOUUAERT nement dans les nouveaux projets miniers (de chaîne de valeur compétitive au niveau de la Head of Section DRC 5 % à 10 %), augmente les taux de redevance sous-région. [email protected] Filiale de Finasucre en République Démocratique du Congo 1963, Route des Poids Lourds, Commune de La Gombe, Kinshasa

Construction et infrastructures investisseurs, le plus souvent sous forme de 10 % de la population connectée (35 % en partenariats public-privé. Il faut cependant zone urbaine et moins de 1 % en zone rurale). La RDC a besoin de nouvelles infrastruc- faire face à la concurrence féroce des entre- La plupart des projets de production d'élec- tures dans presque toutes les facettes de la prises chinoises. tricité sont dirigés et financés par des sociétés vie publique et privée, raison pour laquelle minières qui cherchent à alimenter leurs ins- les banques internationales de développe- Energie tallations. Le manque d'accès à des services ment sont les principaux bailleurs de fonds électriques modernes compromet la santé, des infrastructures. Sa position centrale La RDC dispose d'un potentiel énergétique l'éducation et les possibilités de revenus de en Afrique est sous-exploitée à cause du immense et varié, composé de ressources non la population congolaise. manque d’infrastructure permettant l’inter- renouvelables (pétrole, gaz naturel et ura- connexion avec ses divers voisins. nium), ainsi que de sources d'énergie renou- Le gouvernement du 1er Ministre Sama velables (hydroélectricité, biomasse, solaire Lukonde cherche à augmenter le nombre de Les entreprises étrangères dominent le sec- et géothermie). L'énergie hydroélectrique connexions électriques en faisant appel à des teur de la construction, et les entreprises représente la quasi-totalité de la production fonds de développement et en imposant aux chinoises représentent plus de la moitié de nationale d'électricité, dont la majeure partie compagnies d'électricité de fournir du cou- tous les projets de travaux publics, et une est produite par les barrages d'Inga I et d'Inga rant à la population en plus des compagnies part importante des projets de construction II situés dans la province Kongo Central. minières. privés. Les entreprises de construction euro- L'installation ne produit qu'une fraction de péennes sont également des acteurs majeurs la puissance prévue en raison de décennies L’approvisionnement et la fourniture d’éner- de l'industrie de la construction en RDC. d'entretien différé et de négligence. gie, la construction de lignes de transmission ou la vente d’équipements spécialisés De nombreuses possibilités de projets d’in- La RDC figure parmi les pays ayant le plus offrent de nombreuses possibilités d’inves- frastructures et de construction s’offrent aux faible taux d’électrification avec moins de tissements pour les entreprises étrangères. Il existe également un besoin énorme de solutions électriques hors réseau. Outre l'énergie hydroélectrique, plusieurs stations géother- miques à travers le pays ont besoin d’être réhabilitées.

Sources :

c Agence Belge pour le Commerce Extérieur c Banque Africaine de développement c Banque Mondiale c BusinessFrance c CNUCED c International Trade Administration

Nicolas Stenger Rédacteur / 9

UGANDA

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK been increasing for the past few years, but particularly attractive. The agricultural, con- the exports have gone down by nearly 70% struction, infrastructure, healthcare, power, Uganda is one of the fastest growing coun- due to COVID-19 in 2020. and technology sectors present the best tries in the world since the liberalization of its opportunities for business and investments. economy in 1986. Its growth is driven mainly The secondary sector is mainly construction, The country has a large reserve of recover- by increased investment in value added mining and manufacturing and the service able oil, and the Ugandan oil sector is only activities in the agricultural and services sector comprises financial, trade, transport, emerging and is expected to start producing sectors and government investment in public and telecommunication activities. and exporting by 2024/2025. On the other infrastructure. FDI inflow has been increasing hand, poor economic management, corrup- over the past few years, mainly in the oil and Uganda is one of the African countries where tion, weak rule of law and lack of national gas sector. the non-performing loans have increased the investment in healthcare and education may most, which could on the long term hinder impede investments. Like most countries in Africa and in the the recovery of the country. World, Uganda suffered greatly from the The amendment of the Investment Act in COVID-19 pandemic and saw its GDP growth Although debt levels have been rising since 2019 created a One-Stop Centre for informa- fall from 7.5% in 2019 to -0.5% in 2020. It is 2006, Uganda is currently classified as a low tion and service transactions for investors, expected to grow back at 4.8% in 2021. The risk of debt distress, with a debt-to-GDP reducing the amount of bureaucracy needed central bank managed to keep the inflation ratio at 40.8% in June 2020 (35.9% in 2019) for licenses and permits. The services offered at 3.8% in 2020, 1% higher than 2019 but still expected to rise at 48.8% in 2021 and over by the Centre and the presence of regional under the 5% medium-term target. In 2019, 50% in 2023. financial institutions facilitate and support the primary sector accounted for 22% of the investments in the country. GDP, the secondary sector for 27% and the Uganda had been shifting its workforce services for 43%. from the agricultural sector to the industrial Uganda is ranked 116th (out of 190) at the sector, especially in agro-processing. This Doing Business ranking, 142nd (out of 180) at The primary sector is the key driver of growth, structural transformation was accompanied the Corruption Perceptions Index, 159th (out with agriculture the major source of livelihood by a decline in poverty over the last decade. of 189) at Human Development Index. All and the main sector of employment. Small Poor people remained highly vulnerable, these ranking have improved over the years. scale farms provide the majority of agricul- as seen with the impacts of the pandemic. tural production, mainly in the south of the Widespread closures and job losses led back country, more fertile and prone to rainfalls. to an increase in the agricultural workforce. BELGIUM AND UGANDA The main cash crops for export are coffee, cotton, tea, and tobacco. Food crops are The lockdowns and border closures resulted The cooperation between Belgium and numerous and various, such as maize, sweet in a decrease in private consumption and Uganda goes back to 1995, and a series potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, carrots, pep- public investment and the most impacted of cooperation programs focused on the pers, etc. The production of the major root sectors were tourism and hospitality, man- improvement of education and healthcare crops, plantain banana and pulse has been ufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, and and the reduction of poverty in Uganda. It is steadily growing. The bulk of exports are to education, with schools closed for over 200 the 6th biggest beneficiary of Belgian devel- members of the Common Market for Eastern days (second highest in Africa after Ethiopia). opment aid in the world. and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the rest to the European Union. In 2020, Uganda was Belgium’s 115th client FOREIGN INVESTMENT and 97th supplier. They imported mainly With nearly 20% of the country covered by chemicals (37.7%), foodstuffs (21,2%) and lakes and rivers, fishing is another main sec- Uganda remains attractive and offers oppor- machinery and equipment (12.9%), and tor of export. Around 700.000 Ugandans are tunities but also challenges for foreign inves- exported mainly live animals (53.4%), vege- involved in the fishery sector, and fish is the tors. The country’s market economy, liberal table products (43,4%) and foodstuffs (3.0%) main source of animal protein for the popula- trade and foreign exchange regime, ample to Belgium. The trade balance was in favor of tion. The production volumes and export had arable land and young population makes it Uganda for 10.0 million €. 10 / LA RÉGION DES GRANDS LACS

LEADING SECTORS Kenya, but not yet reaching the most agri- construction of the East African Crude Oil cultural areas of Uganda. Pipeline Project (EACOP). This USD 3.5 bil- The Uganda Investment Authority list the lion pipeline will bring oil from Lake Albert following sectors as investment opportuni- There are serious investment opportuni- in Uganda to the Port of Tanga in Tanzania. ties and priorities in line with their National ties in the sector, in production, input sup- Development Plan: ply, value addition processing, export, and With one of the lowest electrification rates post-harvest handling. There is a lot of room in Africa, increasing the energy production c Agro-industrialization to increase crop production and exportation. is one of the government’s priorities. The c Energy, oil, and gas commission of the Isimba hydro power dam c Tourism The Investment Authority identified the fol- in 2019 and the Karuma hydro power dam, c Mining and mineral beneficiation lowing opportunities for investment in the delayed to 2022 should offer a 380 MW c ICT sector: excess of power generation capacity. Only c Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals 19% of Ugandans have access to electricity c Infrastructure and Construction c Commercial farming in both crops and (55% in urban areas and 10% in rural areas), c Edible oils animal industries as well as aquaculture because of lacking transmission and distribu- c Electronics c Value addition (agro-industries, agro tion infrastructure and uncoordinated intra- food industries) and inter-sectoral planning. c Manufacturing of inputs such as impro- SECTORS OF INTEREST ved seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides Opportunities exist in production, especially c Cold storage facilities and logistics small hydropower projects, transmission Agricultural sector c Farm machinery manufacturing and sectors, the government plans to build over assembly 10.000 km of new transmission lines, with Still the most important sector, employing c Packaging substations, switching stations and trans- over 70% of the population, Uganda’s agricul- c Irrigation schemes former capacity, and distribution, to develop tural potential is considered to be among the mini grids for small communities. best in Africa. With 80% of the land arable, Energy, oil and gas the country has the capacity to produce food Tourism to feed 200 million people, according to the Uganda has a very sizeable hydro-, geo- FAO, but only around 35% is being cultivated. and solar thermal energy capacity, but only Uganda is considered as a top tourist des- The country is among the leading producers a fraction of the potential is exploited. The tination, especially thanks to their popula- of coffee, bananas, and oil seed crops. It is country is also very rich in natural resources, tion of endangered mountain gorillas. Game also a major producer and exporter of tea, with an estimated reserve of 6.5 billion bar- viewing is one of the most popular tourist cotton, tobacco, cereals, vegetables, etc. rels of oil, of which 1.2 billion are recovera- attractions. The country has a unique high- The sector’s growth is limited by the quality ble. There is an investment opportunity in a end eco-tourism potential. of seeds, the lack of irrigation infrastructure petroleum-based industrial park in Kabale and the limited use of fertilizers, but also by Hoima. The Investment Authority identified the fol- insufficient storage facilities, high freight lowing opportunities for investment in the costs, poor post-harvest handling practices In April 2021, the Presidents of Uganda and sector: and limited knowledge of modern produc- Tanzania and representatives of TOTAL and tion practices. The country is experiencing China National Offshore Oil Corporation c Constructing high quality accommoda- a significant locust infestation coming from (CNOOC) met to sign agreements for the tion facilities / 11

c Operating tour and travel circuits The tech and digital sector are booming in ICT infrastructure needs). The government is c Development of specialized eco and East Africa, according to a study in 2020 by looking for strategic partners and investors community tourism facilities and faith- the World Bank’s IFC, stating that the digital for managerial, financial and technical ser- based tourism economy could represent 5.2% of Africa’s vices for their various construction projects, GDP by 2025. The countries of the East such as the Kabaale Industrial Park (construc- Mining and mineral beneficiation African Community (EAC) have committed tion of a refinery, petrochemicals industries to working together on a standardized tax and the Hoima International Airport). Uganda has large underexploited mineral regulations for the ICT sector, which should deposits of oil, gold, tin, tungsten, beryllium, enable better deals with the global digital The road network is severely overburdened, cobalt, iron, kaolin, salt, iron, glass sand, groups. especially in and around cities, and poorly phosphates, uranium, vermiculite, and rare maintained, with an increasing number of car earth elements. Over 80% of the country has The World Bank just approved in June owners. Major roads are needed to accom- been surveyed for minerals. 2021 the USD 200 million Uganda Digital pany the government’s plan to build oil and Acceleration Project – GovNet, to expand gas industrial parks in the western part of The government offers various incentives for access to high-speed internet, improve effi- Uganda. foreign investments, such as allowing foreign ciency of digital service delivery in the public companies to own 100% of the business and sector and strengthen the digital inclusion of Commercial and residential constructions in zero-rated import taxes for all mining equipment. communities and refugees. Uganda are also booming, with an estimated 300.000 housing units needed per year. ICT Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals Domestic production of the equipment and materials for large-scale infrastructure pro- Uganda is connected to the three marine fiber Due to the lack of medical infrastructure in jects is also lacking and the country’s growing optic cables in the Indian Ocean and hun- Uganda, the demand for various medical industries needs modern industrial zones and dreds of kilometers of fiber optic cables have and pharmaceutical equipment rises, such business centers to operate. been laid in major cities in Uganda by Google as complete management systems, ventila- and Facebook (through partnerships). The tors, electrocardiographs, ultrasounds, lab Sources: cost of commercial internet dropped radi- equipment, etc. There is also a growing need cally since 2017. The increasing availability for pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, c African Development Bank of internet is accompanied by an increasing as almost the totality of Uganda’s medicines c Bank of Uganda demand for local data services, data security and health supplies are imported. The gov- c Belgian Foreign Trade Agency and content delivery. Additionally, the use of ernment offers favorable tax incentives to c Britannica complementary technologies is also growing, implement such facilities in Uganda. c BusinessFrance such as IoT devices and services, especially c International Trade Administration connected devices in the agricultural sector. Infrastructure and Construction c Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries of Uganda Investment opportunities exist in telecommu- Infrastructure, whose funding comprising c The World Bank nication hardware, with a high demand in data of about a third of Uganda’s total annual c Uganda Investment Authority transmission equipment, cellular and wireless expenditure, is a key priority of the govern- telephone systems, fiber optic equipment, ment. The country’s infrastructure needs VSAT, voice over internet telephone, etc. remain considerable, in road, railway, air and Nicolas Stenger water transport (in addition to the Energy and Editor 12 / LA RÉGION DES GRANDS LACS

IN A NUTSHELL, WHY INVEST IN UGANDA’S PRIORITY SECTORS FOR time comes that you will decide to sell UGANDA INVESTMENT the property. Real estate prices in the country are always affordable. However, Uganda enjoys a unique location at the 1. Commercial Agriculture and Agro proces- it is best to analyze market prospects heart of Sub-Saharan Africa within the East sing; Uganda has the unrivaled potential before taking steps towards investing in African region and is bordered by Sudan to be the food basket of the East African the real-estate industry. in the north, Kenya in the east, the United Community, as well as the Great Lakes Republic of Tanzania in the south, Rwanda regions, with the capacity to export pro- For more information regarding investing in the southwest and the Democratic cessed food stuffs to the wider COMESA in Uganda and the necessary steps to regis- Republic of Congo in the west. This land economic bloc if more investment is tar- ter your investment, please visit: linked position, gives the country a strate- geted at processing more of the agro gic commanding base to be a regional hub products. for trade and investment. Because of this, www.ugandainvest.go.ug Uganda enjoys pivotal trade partnerships 2. Adding Value to Minerals; there are that create a viable market for business. several unexploited and confirmed mineral deposits in Uganda. These Uganda is the most open country to minerals include but not limited to Iron- Foreign Direct Investment within the Ore, Phosphate, Gold, Oil & Gas, High East African region with all the sectors grade tin, Zinc, Petroleum, Diamond, fully liberalized for investment and 100% Limestone, Tungsten/Wolfram, Salt, foreign ownership permitted. The eco- Beryllium, Cobalt, Kaolin, Iron-Ore, Glass nomy also offers free movement of capi- Sand, Vermiculite, Phosphates (ferti- tal to and from the country high returns lizer), Uranium and rare earth elements. on investment after the mandatory taxes have been paid thus making Uganda 3. Tourism; Uganda has been dubbed the your preferred investment destination. ‘Pearl of Africa’ due to its strong tourism In Uganda, the investor is guaranteed potential with lots of forests, lakes and security of investment and is protected rivers and it is estimated that 50% of the under the Constitution of Uganda and world’s population of mountain gorillas the Investment Code 1991, as well as the lives in Uganda. Uganda is also home to major international investment related the source of the Nile, the longest and agreements / treaties to which Uganda is only river in the world that flows north AGATHA MUHUMUZA signatory. and offers the best white-water rafting Managing Director of APMS experience globally. Solutions Ltd in Kampala With an economical growth of 7% every year and a Return on investments pro- 4. Packaging; Many Ugandan enterprises jected between 5% and 7%, Uganda is are missing out on the opportunities one of the greatest business markets to in larger markets because their packa- venture in and to start a business as her ging doesn’t meet international stan- economy is shining and booming once dards. In order for Ugandan processed again. Compared to all the other regions in honey, fruit juices, mineral water, herbal Africa, Uganda quietly mushrooming into medicines and chemicals, among other a prime investment destination, receiving products to be competitive nationally, the most foreign direct investment (FDI) regionally and globally, the packaging in the last three years, according to the has got to be quality. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment 5. Pharmaceuticals; Uganda’s pharmaceu- Report as a result of her political stability tical industry presents numerous oppor- and economic policies. tunities for new investors as reflected by the growing local and regional demand The government of Uganda has made for medicines and health supplies. 90% efforts to ease investments and is deve- of the medicines in Uganda are imported JORIS DE NOCKER loping an integrated electronic (on-line) mainly from India, Kenya, Netherlands, Head of Section Uganda system that will connect all investment China and Denmark. [email protected] relevant agencies, which will cut down on time and money spent to set up businesses. 6. Real-estate; Uganda’s real estate is Currently, potential investors can apply for booming and you can be sure that a license on-line via the UIA website and your money is in a profitable business. receive their license for free in 24 hours. There is an opportunity for profits when / 13

RWANDA

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Despite the crisis, the banking sector remains According to the World Bank, low domestic liquid and well capitalized, with a Liquidity savings, skills, and the high cost of energy Rwanda is a small and landlocked East African Coverage Ratio of 252.8% (June 2020). are some of the major constraints to private country bordered by the RDC, Tanzania, investment. According to UNCTAD, inflows Uganda and Burundi. The economic growth Because of the country's geography, most increased from USD 382 million in 2018 to of the country for the past decade has been imports and exports are transported by road USD 420 million in 2019, mainly in the sec- made possible thanks to important economic through the ports of Mombasa (Kenya) and tors of mining, construction and real estate, and structural supported by the IMF and the Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), over up to 1,500 infrastructure and information and commu- World Bank. Rwanda was in the middle of an km. The country’s isolation, exacerbated by nication technologies. The FDI stock was esti- economic boom before the COVID-19 pan- the high cost of infrastructure (the most mated at USD 2.6 billion at the end of 2019. demic, with an averaged 7.2% growth over expensive electricity in East Africa) and the The Bugesera International Airport construc- the decade and a growth of 9.4% in 2019, poor quality of roads, limit the possibility tion project alone absorbed USD 400 million. mainly driven by large public investments of Rwanda’s aim to become a technologi- in the sub-sectors of construction, wood cal, financial and business hub and a pivot With the aim to attract more FDI, the gov- and paper products, rubber and plastics. All between East and West Africa. The country ernment approved in 2015 a new Investment sectors recorded growth in 2019, agriculture aims to become an upper-middle income Code providing tax breaks and other incen- accounted for 24% of the GDP, industry for country by 2035 and then a high-income tives to investors. Furthermore, all economic 18% and the services for 49%. country by 2050. activities are open to foreign investors, who have the same rights as domestic investors In 2020, the GDP growth is estimated to have On the political side, the country has been to establish and own businesses in the coun- dropped to 0.4%, but is expected to grow to stable since the 1994 genocide against the try and there are no general limits on foreign 5.1% in 2021, 7.0% in 2022 and an average of Tutsi and the accession to power of President ownership or control. 7.8% in 2023/24, driven by the same sectors Paul Kagame and the Rwandan Patriotic that were the source of the pre-pandemic Front, which still has the absolute majority Rwanda is ranked 38th (out of 190) at the growth. The most affected sectors are trans- in the Chamber of Deputies. In 2018, for the Doing Business ranking, 49th (out of 180) portation, trade and tourism, but foreign first time, two opposition parties have won at the Corruption Perceptions Index, 160th investments and exports were also impacted. two seats each in the parliament. President (out of 189) at Human Development Index. Inflation grew from 2.4% in 2019 to 6.6% in Kagame was re-elected for a third term thanks Rwanda remains the second highest ranked 2020 due to rising food prices caused by to a constitutional change voted in 2015 that country at the DB ranking in Africa after disruptions. Unemployment rose by over 5% would permit him to govern until 2034. Mauritius, and the only low-income coun- since the beginning of the pandemic. try in the top 50, despite the 9 places drop between 2019 and 2020. It performs well The public debt rose from 45% of GDP in 2018 FOREIGN INVESTMENT in transferring property (3rd) and obtaining to 51.4% in 2019 and 61.6% in 2020. It is 80% loans (4th). However, while the legislative external, with two-thirds held by multilateral Rwanda is a member of the East African framework seems optimized for this ranking, donors and the rest is shared equally among Community, which uses the East African serious difficulties remain, such as obtaining commercial creditors, bilaterals and guaran- Community Customs Act (EACMA) to col- a work visa for foreign workers, the lack of tees held by state-owned enterprises. The lect import duties. The EACMA common competence of the tax authority's middle IMF raised the risk of debt distress from low external tariff system for goods originating management (poor and lengthy audits) and to moderate in June 2020. Rwanda’s trade outside the customs union provides for three the very low quality of the local workforce. balance has been continuously in deficit for rates of duty: 0% for raw materials and capital the past 15 years, with a balance rising from goods, 10% for intermediate goods and 25% Nevertheless, Rwanda offers many opportu- USD - 200 million in 2002 to USD - 1.5 billion for finished goods. nities to investors such as a large methane in 2019. reserve and an expanding mining potential Taxation levels: (cassiterite, coltan, gold and precious stones) The IMF's loosening of the country’s pub- yet to be fully explored. It is also one of the lic deficit target should facilitate continued c VAT: 18% least corrupt countries in Africa and the gov- public investment. In 2019, the IMF agreed to c Corporate income tax: 30% ernment has continuously developed liberal the establishment of a non-funding program c Withholding tax on foreign products: 5% policies to transform the country into a hub (Policy Coordination Instrument), which was c Withholding tax on public tenders: 3% of trade and services. This strategy included accompanied by a relaxation of the budget c Customs duties: the construction in Kigali of new international deficit target from 3.0% to 5.5% of GDP for 5 » Raw materials and capital goods business class hotels, a new inland container years renewable. This flexibility should allow (plants and machinery): 0% terminal, a convention center and a bonded for additional funding for major projects, » Intermediate goods: 10% warehouse. The construction of the new education and health. » Finished goods: 25% Bugesera International Airport is also part of the government’s plans of modernization. 14 / LA RÉGION DES GRANDS LACS

BELGIUM AND RWANDA SECTORS OF INTEREST

In 2020, Rwanda was Belgium’s 106th client Agriculture and agribusiness and 138th supplier. They imported mainly chemicals (41.2%), machinery and equipment Agriculture is one of the most important (14.7%) and live animals (7.2%), and exported sectors in Rwanda's economy, employing mainly vegetables products (70.3%), textiles over 70% of the population and contributing (23.5%) and fat and oils (4.7%) to Belgium. to around 30% of GDP growth. It is a prior- The trade balance was in favor of Belgium ity sector in Rwanda’s Vision 2050 national for 60.6 million €. In 2019, 640 Belgian com- development strategy. The country’s ideal panies exported to Rwanda. climate, fertile soil and a large labor force is perfect for the horticultural sector. In recent years, the sector has experienced significant LEADING SECTORS growth of 4.5% to 6% per year and is gradually moving from a subsistence to a market-driven c Infrastructure model. In 2019, food crops were the dominant c Energy sub-sector, accounting for 58% of the sector c Agriculture in terms of contribution to GDP, followed by c Tourism forestry 21%, livestock 12%, traditional export c Manufacturing crops 7% and fisheries 1%. Principal exports c ICT are coffee, tea and some value-added agri- c Mining cultural products such as canned tomatoes, c Financial services macadamia nuts, honey, etc. c Real estate c Construction The production of food and cash crops have been steadily increasing in recent years and it is expected to keep growing. It can be linked to the crop intensification program launched in 2007, which aims to increase agricultural productivity in high potential food crops.

Promising sub-sectors in agriculture:

c Cereal industry c Irrigation c Mechanization and agricultural machinery / 15

c Industrial crops To attract private companies in the energy and mining licensing. It identified investment c Quality fertilizers sector, the government implemented some opportunities in the entire value chain from c Support for commercial and small-scale measures: exploration to value addition. farmers c Provision of an investment certificate c Promising investment opportunities: The development of the agricultural sector c A variety of non-tax and tax incentives: c Mineral exploration is accompanied by the growth of the food » Tax exemption including VAT on the c Mining equipment and services processing industry for the domestic market, import of equipment, free repatria- c Processing plant stimulating the sales of agribusiness’ equip- tion of profits c Gemstones cutting and polishing ment. Rwanda's food exports are expected » Preferential corporate income tax rate to shift towards more processed products, of 15% ICT generating more value added. The existence » Tax exemption on corporate income of free trade zones and agreements at the for seven years for energy projects Rwanda is one of the fastest growing African regional and continental levels facilitates producing 25 MW with an investment countries in ICT and the sector grew by 29% the access to the national market for foreign of US$ 50 million in 2020. It is one of the few sectors record- companies. Belgium is Rwanda’s first supplier c Provision by RDB of assistance to regis- ing a positive growth during the pandemic, of agribusiness equipment, followed by China tered investors with the increasing use of mobile money, and India. credit and debit card. The government aims The government has also put in place signifi- to provide internet access to the entire pop- The beverage sub-sector continues to cant facilitation for private sector investment to ulation. It has already installed over 5000 km be dominant in Rwanda with revenues ensure their participation in the energy sector: of fiber optic cables and has built a national exceeding USD 190 million in 2019. Most high-speed 4G wireless broadband network. of the production is for local consumption. c Power Purchase Agreements between The beverage sector includes companies EUCL and Independent Power The cell phone operator MTN Rwanda was such as Braliirwa (market leader and subsidi- Producers: minimum 25 years listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange in ary of Heineken), Brasseries des Mille Collines c Legal framework established to stimu- May of this year and is opening to new (UNIBRA) or Inyange industries. late PPPs (PPP Law established in 2016) shareholders. » Renewable Energy Fund to support Promising sub-sectors in agribusiness: the development of off-grid and clean Promising investment opportunities: cooking technologies: c Cold chain equipment - Refrigerated » Financial assistance c E-commerce and E-services trucks, cold chambers etc. » Results Based Financing c SMART energy grid c Equipment for the beverage industry » Technical assistance to private com- c Internet data centers (excluding wines and spirits) panies and consumer awareness c Training of ICT professionals c Equipment for the bakery, pastry and campaigns c Software development confectionery industry c Equipment for the dairy industry Promising investment opportunities: Sources: c Machinery for the preparation and processing of meat and poultry c Power transmission and distribution c African Development Bank equipment and services c Belgian Foreign Trade Agency Energy c Off-grid energy solutions, such as roof- c BusinessFrance top solar products and solar powered c FAO Access to electricity varies between 35% in irrigation c International Trade Administration rural areas and close to 100% in urban areas, c Technical assistance and services c Rwanda Development Board with about half of the population connected. c Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board The country has access to large natural Mining and minerals c Rwanda Ministry of Infrastructure energy resources (hydro, solar and meth- c Santander ane gas). To achieve the goal of becoming a The mining sector is the second largest c The World Bank middle-income country, Rwanda targets uni- source of export revenue after tourism. It is versal access to electricity by 2024, through one of the world’s biggest producer of the a mix of on-grid and off-grid connections. 3Ts (tin, tantalum and tungsten) and also Nicolas Stenger According to the national development exports gold and gemstones. The country Editor agency of Rwanda, 51% of the investments wants to develop the sector by intensifying were made in the energy sector in 2019. mining, but also by expanding and improving its finished and semi-finished processing To position itself as a service hub for the industry of mineral products. To do so, the region, the government agreed to numer- government wants to formalize the sector ous power purchase agreements with inde- (around 80% of the country’s output is from pendent power producers. They also want small-scale mining) and attract international to improve the grid network to avoid losses investors. and to connect with neighboring countries, to import and export power. The Rwanda Mining, Petroleum and Gas Board founded in 2017 oversees regulation 16 / LA RÉGION DES GRANDS LACS

BURUNDI

PERSPECTIVES ÉCONOMIQUES

Le Burundi est l’un des pays les plus densé- ment peuplé de la région des Grands Lacs, avec 11.6 millions d’habitants. Une crise socio- politique et économique a suivi les élections nationales de 2015 et a entraîné un important ralentissement économique, dégradant un climat d’investissement déjà difficile. La modeste croissance économique en cours reste insuffisante pour créer des emplois dans un pays qui vit une forte croissance démographique et qui connaît un taux de chômage des jeunes particulièrement élevé (plus de 60 %). Près des deux tiers des burundais vivent sous le seuil de pauvreté, faisant de ce pays où environ 80 % de la population dépend de l’agriculture de subsistance, l’un des plus pauvres du monde.

Le Burundi est entré en récession en 2020 principalement à cause de la pandémie de COVID-19, qui a interrompu la remon- tée économique fragile que le pays vivait. La croissance économique est estimée à 0.3 % en 2020, contre 1.8 % en 2019 et l’inflation a atteint 7.5 % après deux années de de l’Afrique orientale et australe (COMESA) INVESTISSEMENTS ÉTRANGERS déflation. Les secteurs de l’industrie et des et de la Communauté Economique des Pays services ont particulièrement été frappés par des Grands Lacs (CEPGL). Le pays repré- Toutes les activités économiques sont la pandémie, avec une baisse de production sente un pont entre la CAE et la Communauté ouvertes aux investisseurs étrangers, qui ont de 4.5 % et 1.8 % respectivement, par rapport Economique des Etats de l’Afrique centrale les mêmes droits que les investisseurs natio- à 2019, et les investissements ont chuté d’en- (CEEAC) par le lac Tanganyika, sur lequel naux pour établir et posséder des entreprises viron 3 %. En 2019, le secteur de l’agriculture se trouve Bujumbura, centre d’affaires de dans le pays, avec toutefois des restrictions comptabilisait 28.9 % (+3.9 %) du PIB, le sec- la région. Le gouvernement a récemment dans l'armement, les munitions et toute sorte teur secondaire 11.0 % (+2.1 %) et les services adopté de nouvelles lois sur la zone de libre- d'entreprise militaire ou paramilitaire. Il n'y a 47.9 % (+1.0 %). Le déficit budgétaire a doublé échange afin d'accélérer son intégration pas de limites générales à la propriété ou pour atteindre 8.7 % du PIB et les dépenses dans d'autres blocs commerciaux tels que la au contrôle étrangers. Pour des entreprises courantes ont augmenté d’environ 4 % en zone de libre-échange continentale africaine minières, le gouvernement du Burundi doit 2020. Les déficits commerciaux et courants (AfCFTA), la zone de libre-échange tripartite détenir au moins 10 % des actions de toute se sont aggravés à cause de la baisse mon- (TFTA) entre le COMESA, l'EAC et la SADC société étrangère disposant d’une licence diale des prix du café et du thé. (Southern Africa Development Community). d’exploitation minière industrielle dans le pays. Sous réserve d’une reprise économique Un dialogue politique entre le gouverne- mondiale et de la hausse du prix du café, la ment du Burundi et l'Union Européenne Pour attirer des investisseurs étrangers, le croissance est projetée à 3.5 % pour 2021 et a débuté ce mois de février sur une éven- Burundi a mis en œuvre des réformes, notam- à 2.1 % pour 2022. L’inflation retomberait à tuelle levée des sanctions budgétaires prises ment le renforcement de son guichet unique 5.4 % en 2021 et à 3.2 % en 2022 et le déficit à l'encontre du Burundi depuis la crise de pour la création d'entreprise, les permis de budgétaire devrait lui aussi redescendre à 2015, en raison de « graves violations des construire et l'enregistrement des biens, la 7.9 % du PIB, grâce aux mesures d’augmen- droits de l'homme ». simplification des procédures fiscales pour les tation des recettes fiscales prévues par la Loi PME, le lancement d’un guichet unique élec- de finances 2020-2021. Le Burundi est classé 166e (sur 190) au tronique pour les transactions commerciales classement Doing Business, 165e (sur 180) et l'harmonisation des lois commerciales avec à l'indice de perception de la corruption, celles de la Communauté d'Afrique de l'Est. LE BURUNDI À L’INTERNATIONAL 185e (sur 189) à l'indice de développement Le Burundi a un score nettement au-dessus humain. Tous ces classements se sont à de la moyenne sub-saharienne pour la créa- Le Burundi est membre de la Communauté peine améliorés ou n'ont pas évolué depuis tion d’une entreprise, selon le Doing Business d’Afrique de l’est (CAE), du Marché Commun une décennie. 2020. L'enregistrement d'une entreprise / 17

prend environ quatre heures et coûte 40 000 ment dans les secteurs minier et agricole maraîchers (99.8 %), des instruments d'op- francs burundais (environ 18 €). et en provenance notamment de la France tique (0.1 %) et des machines et équipements et du Japon. La construction de barrages (0.1 %). La balance commerciale penchait en Le Burundi a créé une Zone Economique hydroélectriques est planifiée, avec l’aide de faveur de la Belgique pour 24.0 millions €. Spéciale, la ZES-Burundi, dans le but d’en- la Banque Mondiale et des Pays-Bas. courager différents opérateurs économiques à développer leurs activités économiques Malgré le bon vouloir de certaines instances SECTEURS PRIORITAIRES dans les secteurs de l’agro-industrie et l’in- du gouvernement, de nombreuses politiques dustrie lourde. d’investissement étrangers ne sont pas trans- c Agro-industrie parentes et certaines lois ou réglementations c Education Divers avantages fiscaux et douaniers poten- sont souvent inefficaces ou non appliquées. c Santé tiels sont accordés aux investisseurs, notam- Les procédures comptables, juridiques et c Finance et banque ment : trois années ou plus d'exploitation en réglementaires sont généralement transpa- c Energie franchise d'impôt, l'exonération des charges rentes ou conformes aux normes interna- c Mine sur le transfert de propriété, l'exonération des tionales sur le papier mais sont inégalement c Transport et infrastructure droits sur les matières premières, les biens mises en œuvre dans la pratique. d'équipement et les véhicules spécialisés, l'exonération des taxes sur les biens utilisés SECTEURS D'INTÉRÊT pour créer de nouvelles entreprises, l'exo- LA BELGIQUE ET LE BURUNDI nération des droits de douane si les biens Agriculture d'investissement sont fabriqués au sein de Le Burundi a signé en 1989 des trai- la CAE ou du COMESA, un taux d'imposition tés bilatéraux d’investissement (TBI) La grande majorité de la population du des sociétés de 30 % avec une réduction à en vigueur avec l’Union Economique Burundi travaille dans le secteur de l’agricul- 28 % si 50-200 Burundais sont employés et à Belgo-Luxembourgeoise. ture et le pays offre de vastes plaines très fer- 25 % si plus de 200 sont employés, et le libre tiles qui conviennent à l'agriculture moderne, transfert des actifs et des revenus étrangers En 2020, le Burundi était le 134e client et le des précipitations pendant 9 mois par an, un après paiement des taxes dues. 146e fournisseur de la Belgique. Il impor- réseau abondant de rivières pour l'irriga- tait principalement des produits chimiques tion et la possibilité de 2 récoltes annuelles. Les investissements directs étrangers (IDE) (42.6 %), des machines et équipements Le pays a un bon climat qui convient à la pro- sont assez limités au Burundi, s’élevant à (16.7 %), et des produits maraîchers (13,9 %) duction de riz, de coton, de thé, de café, de 1 million d’USD en 2018 et 2019, principale- de la Belgique et y exportait des produits cultures vivrières, de fruits et de légumes. 18 / LA RÉGION DES GRANDS LACS

L’Agence Burundaise de Promotion des c Augmentation de l'utilisation du réseau Investissements (API) considère les sous-sec- sous-régional (Tanzanie, Ouganda, RD teurs agricoles suivants comme propices aux Congo et Zambie) pour le transport investissements : aérien c Installation d'une chaîne de froid à l'aé- c Agriculture mécanisée roport et au port de Bujumbura c Production d'engrais c Amélioration de la planification automa- c Agriculture à grande échelle tisée des chargements dans le port de c Mise en place de systèmes d'irrigation Bujumbura c Industrie de transformation alimentaire c Construction d'un chantier naval c Chambres froides pour conservation à long terme Energie c Production d'huile de palme et de produits dérivés Le Burundi souffre d’un déficit énergétique c Production de fruits et légumes malgré des conditions favorables et ne dis- c Elevage pose pas d’infrastructures énergétiques c Abattoirs suffisantes pour satisfaire la demande gran- c Pêche et aquaculture dissante. Plus de 90 % de la population n’a pas accès à l’électricité. Le pays dispose d’un Finance et banque énorme potentiel hydroélectrique sous-ex- ploité, avec plus de 150 sites appropriés à Les services des finances et bancaires restent travers le pays. largement sous-développés au Burundi. Pour améliorer l’efficacité du secteur, le gouverne- L’API considère les secteurs suivants comme ment s’est engagé dans un programme de propices aux investissements : libéralisation afin d’aider à corriger les distor- sions du marché tout en créant des conditions c Développement d'installations d'énergie de concurrence pour tous les prestataires. solaire Cette réforme devrait aussi améliorer la c Production d'énergie éolienne au bord mobilisation des ressources et permettre une du lac Tanganyika allocation efficace des ressources dans tous c Production d'énergie hydroélectrique les secteurs de l’économie. c Production commerciale d'énergie géothermique Des opportunités existent dans le domaine c Création de centrales solaires à Mubuga, de la banque mobile pour atteindre le plus Bubanza et Gitega grand nombre de personnes possible. Les secteurs agricole et industriel de l'économie Sources : burundaise ont également un besoin urgent de meilleures facilités de crédit. c Agence Belge pour le Commerce Extérieur Transport et infrastructure c Agence Burundaise de Promotion des Investissements 90 % des biens importés arrivent par la route, c Banque Africaine du Développement malgré l’existence du port de Tanganyika, c Banque Mondiale clairement sous-exploité. Plusieurs projets c CNUCED ont été lancés pour la modernisation et c US Bureau of Economic and Business l’agrandissement du port de Bujumbura, sur Affairs le lac Tanganyika. Quant à l’infrastructure fer- c ZES-Burundi roviaire, la Tanzanie a lancé un grand projet qui la reliera au Rwanda, en passant par le Burundi, qui doit construire près de 200 km Nicolas Stenger de rails sur son territoire. La connexion du Rédacteur Burundi au port de Dar-es-Salaam offrirait une grande opportunité économique pour ce pays enclavé.

L’API considère les secteurs suivants comme propices aux investissements :

c Dragage du port de Bujumbura c Développement du transport maritime de marchandises et de passagers / 19

CHÂTEAU DE LA SOLITUDE AVENUE CHARLES SCHALLER 54 B-1160 AUDERGHEM

WWW.REDFOXEVENTS.BE

T : +32 2 242 05 10 [email protected] KEY FACTS BOTSWANA

SWOT

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

-POPULATION- • Political stability • Overreliance on minerals (diamonds) 2.3 million • Democracy revenues (Wolrd Bank) • Prudent financial management • Limited industrial activity

• Good credit rating • Unemployment and inequality, particularly among youth and women • No foreign exchange controls • Low population • Low, predictable and sustainable inflation -HDI- • Low and sustainable public debt 0,728 • Peaceful and stable environment to its citizens and investors

• Zero tolerance for corruption, consistently rated as the least corrupt country in Africa by Transparency International -PRESIDENT- • Educated and skilled workforce MOKGWEETSI MASISI • Centrally located in Southern Africa

• Educated labour force with limited labour tensions

• Peace and low crime levels -OFFICIAL LANGUAGES- ENGLISH SETSWANA OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

• Investment opportunities in • Economic dependence on a mining and mineral beneficiation, fluctuating and market vulnerable education, agriculture, transport commodity - diamonds

and communication, leather and • International concerns on anti-money leather goods, tourism, digitalisation, laundering controls -CURRENCY- infrastructure, Financial and • Persistent drought BOTSWANA PULA Knowledge Intensive Business (BWP) services (FKIBS)

• Customs Duty Exemption on raw materials for goods exported outside of Southern African Customs Union (SACU)

-AREA- • No restrictions on business and property ownership 581 730 KM² • Duty rebate on importation of machinery for manufacturing

• Liberal tax regime and negotiable holiday tax -MAIN SECTORS- • Central location ideal for intra- MINING regional and extra-regional hub TOURISM AGRICULTURE FINANCE / 21

Focus BOTSWANA 22 / BOTSWANA

INTERVIEW WITH H.E. SAMUEL O. OUTLULE – AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA TO THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM AND HEAD OF DELEGATION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

contracted by an estimated 8.9%. This was continue to grow long after diamonds have subsequent to a 3.0% growth rate in 2019. run out. The 8 SEZ and their functions are The contraction is attributed to a number of as follows: factors such as COVID–19 lockdown and other restrictions on movement which constrained c Gaborone: Provides for mixed use and the economic activities. On the supply side, entails the following; diamond benefici- mining output declined significantly, mainly ation, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and due to falling global demand. In this regard, aviation, finance & technology services, the Government is looking into increasing electronic equipment. investments in agriculture, services, tourism, c Lobatse: Meat and leather processing digital transformation and manufacturing in c Selebi-Phikwe: Base Metal Beneficiation order to diversify the economy and reduce c Francistown: Mineral beneficia- the high dependency on the mining of rough tion, freight and logistics, electronic diamonds alone, which is subject to volatility. equipment c Pandamatenga: Integrated agriculture I must underscore that COVID-19 has put a (cereal. Agro-processing, water man- great burden on our economy. Due to this, agement solutions, food processing and Botswana developed an Economic Recovery storage facility) and Transformation Plan (ERTP) to bol- c Tuli Block: Agro processing and food ster resilience to the pandemic aftershocks. processing The ERTP is an addendum to the Mid-Term c Palapye: the focus area is the energy H.E. Samuel O. Outlule – Ambassador of Review of National Development Plan (NDP) sector (coal beneficiation, Oil & Gas and the Republic Of Botswana to the 11 and is aligned to the National Vision 2036. renewable energy) Kingdom of Belgium and head of The Plan is expected to revive the economy delegation to the European Union by supporting local businesses, attracting pri- HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE vate sector investments, diversifying exports BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN as well as creating jobs. Other recovery meas- BELGIUM AND BOTSWANA? HOW WOULD YOU PRESENT BOTSWANA ures that Botswana undertook include among FROM AN ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW? others: provision of food relief packages, Botswana and Belgium share excellent and wages subsidies, increased utilisation of the mutually beneficial bilateral relations since Since independence in 1966, Botswana has ICTs to support sectors like education through Botswana’s independence in 1966 as well pursued open economy policies that set online learning; economic stimulus packages as the multilateral relations that dates as far off foreign direct investment in the mining for small and medium enterprises that were back as 1975, under the first Lomé Convention sector. These policies led to rapid economic severely affected by the pandemic; deferment which was designed to provide a new frame- growth and development that enabled and restructuring of loan obligations; tempo- work of cooperation between the then Botswana to graduate from the list of least rary suspension and concessions tax payment European Economic Community (EEC) and developed countries. Furthermore Botswana until business recovers as well as a roll-out of developing African, Caribbean and Pacific has enjoyed strong and stable economic COVID-19 vaccines. (ACP) countries. This was followed by the growth that is well supported by good gov- Cotonou Partnership Agreement in 2000, the ernance and transparency, prudent manage- I would also like to indicate that the EU-SADC EPA in 2016 and the soon-to-signed ment of resources, an independent judiciary Government of Botswana has created strat- Post-Cotonou Agreement between the EU and respect for the rule of law. In 2005 the egies such as the Economic Diversification and the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean World Bank classified Botswana as an upper Drive (EDD). The EDD aims to address the and Pacific States (OACPS). Belgium is widely middle-income economy. identified weaknesses and threats that have known as the “heart of Europe” with its cap- over the years delayed the achievement ital city, Brussels being an important cen- The economic activity is mainly supported of economic diversification, while simulta- tre of European economic, commercial and by mineral resources, especially diamonds, neously propelling the exploitation of our political activity and the capital of the North tourism and the beef industry. The three strengths and opportunities. Botswana has Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The two sectors make significant contributors to the designated eight (8) Special Economic Zones countries have similar traits as Botswana is national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and (SEZs) which are dedicated to specific sec- also strategically located in the heart of the have been the cornerstone of Botswana’s tors and provide an investor-friendly business Southern African Development Community economic success. Despite the good reviews, environment that will make Botswana the (SADC) and provides alternative routes to the economic growth rate remains low, mak- most preferred location for both domestic SADC’s other highly congested corridors, ing it difficult to achieve national develop- and foreign investment. The main objective such as the route from South Africa through ment goals to create jobs, especially for of these SEZs is to diversify the country’s eco- Zimbabwe and further north to Zambia and the youth. In 2020, Botswana’s economy nomic and export base into sectors that will the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). / 23

Furthermore, SADC as an inter-governmen- tal organisation that exists to achieve development, peace and security and economic growth within the Southern African States is headquartered in Botswana. REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA A significant part of bilateral relations between Botswana and Belgium can be traced to the discovery of diamonds. Belgium is a very important market for Botswana’s rough diamonds with an estimated export value of BWP 76,608.677,963 for the period 2016 to 2020. Antwerp is a major world diamond centre. A large number of diamontaires have invested in the city and are involved in the cutting, polishing and retail sectors of the industry. Many of the diamontaires were DeBeers sightholders and purchased most of their diamonds from the Diamond Trading Centre in London. With the development of Gaborone as a Diamond Centre, some of the Antwerp based diamond companies have been licensed to buy diamonds from the Diamond Trading Company Botswana and Okavango Diamond Trading Company. This means that there is a continuing partnership and cooperation between Botswana and Belgium. Belgium also participates in the Kimberley Process under the umbrella of the EU, its role is to verify rough diamonds imports that are destined anywhere in the EU and issue the KP certificate.

Bilaterally, Botswana has signed two Agreements with the Kingdom of Belgium namely; the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Cooperation in Agriculture and Tourism between the Government of Botswana and the Flanders Government in May 2017; and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement signed in 2018. Let me also highlight that a successful and exemplary twin- ning arrangement exists between the two cities of Francistown and Genk in Botswana and Belgium, respectively. The MoU, first signed in 2004, is seen as a mechanism to exchange ideas and best practices in areas of urban sustainable development and to deepen the bilateral agreement already existing between Botswana and Belgium. over-reliance on mining. Based on this, the On this point, I wish to highlight that ICT and We are therefore hopeful that collaboration following sectors have shown potential for digitization in particular as an interesting with CBL-ACP will contribute towards diver- investment; manufacturing, energy, benefi- area of investment as the Government of sified trade between Botswana and Belgium ciation in the mining sector, education, agri- Botswana is currently implementing a digital and the rest of the European Union as well culture, Finance and Knowledge Intensive transformation strategy called SmartBots, as open doors for sustainable investments. Business Services (FKIBS), transport and which will also support the goal of transform- logistics, tourism, health, ICT, digitalisation, ing Botswana from an upper-middle-income WHAT ARE THE KEY SECTORS IN WHICH cultural and creative industries. The Special country to high-income status by 2036. YOU WOULD ADVISE BELGIAN INVESTORS Economic Zones also presents opportuni- The aim is to become a knowledge-based TO INVEST IN BOTSWANA? ties in the Agro-processing, manufacturing, economy. warehousing, distribution and logistics as As I stated earlier, Botswana Government well as internationally traded services. In other sectors, the underdeveloped nature is looking to diversify the economy to avoid of Botswana pharmaceutical market presents 24 / BOTSWANA

considerable investment opportunities. Here, innovative manufacturers have the opportunity to branch out from Botswana’s domestic market to the wider market of the SADC region. Belgian investors could also consider establishing partnerships between Botswana and Belgian businesses, chambers of commerce, academic institutions, women and youth organisations, cultural and creative organisations, among other opportunities. Botswana has abundant energy resources, receiving over 3 200 hours of sunshine per year with insulation. The government has put in place policy and legal frameworks to enable investors to develop the sector.

YOUR EMBASSY IS THE FIRST POINT OF CONTACT FOR BELGIANS WHO ARE HERE. HOW DO YOU HELP THEM? ARE THERE OTHER AGENCIES WITH WHOM IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE IN CONTACT?

Indeed, our embassy is the face of Botswana and first point of contact for citizens of Botswana, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, as well as other national- ities who are interested in investing and/or visiting Botswana, as well as EU institutions for bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Botswana. We are available 24/7 by email, telephone, website and in-person visits for the citizens of the BENELUX and Italy. We also have Honorary consulates in Luxembourg, Italy and the Netherlands who are also mandated to assist with consular duties. The role of the Embassy is to advance Botswana’s national interests and articulate our foreign policy in our bilateral relations and in international fora. Our primary mandate is to attract investments, promote trade and tourism, promote Botswana’s culture, arts and crafts, where we work closely with the Botswana IS THERE A MESSAGE YOU WOULD LIKE TO and facilitate movement of people by provid- business community to promote their busi- SEND TO OUR MEMBERS? ing a range of consular services such as visa ness interests abroad. This includes organis- and national document processing. ing meetings between potential investors and Let me take this opportunity to indicate local business people, especially where for- that the Embassy is open and ready to We work closely with strategic stakehold- eign investors are looking for local partners. engage your membership on any informa- ers and partners such as the Botswana tion they may need about Botswana, be it Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), the The Embassy is an interface between on investment, trade, tourism, international Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), the Botswana and Belgium as well as Botswana cooperation or any issue where we can be Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA), and Europe at large. Botswana Embassies in of assistance. This includes, among other as well as other government ministries, aca- Europe collaborate very closely and engage in services, helping to link potential investors demic institutions and civil society. BITC is regular exchange of information to ensure the to Botswana’s key institutions and business our investment promotion agency which is seamless provision of services to the public. leaders. An increase in investment from mandated to attract and promote invest- In this respect we represent the interests of Europe will certainly help Botswana to suc- ments as well as promote Botswana exports Botswana and Batswana in Belgium and the ceed in diversifying and expanding its econ- abroad. BITC also facilities the ease of doing Europe continent. We also connect Belgium omy. We see a bright future for the economy business in Botswana through provision of and Europe to the country by dispersing and people of Botswana, and the SADC prompt and efficient services offered through information on profiled business opportu- region as a whole. We hope that European its One Stop Service Centre. The Embassy, in nities for investment, promoting tourism investors will recognise and seize the myriad collaboration with BITC and other key insti- and informing the development priorities. of opportunities which Botswana has to offer. tutions carry out and participates in tourism The Embassy works to serve Botswana’s In this regard, the Embassy stands ready and exhibitions in countries of accreditation, and national interests. willing to facilitate all travellers and investors. undertakes investment promotion activities / 25

MINERALS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY BOTSWANA

COMPANY PROFILE is a key focus area of Botswana, is getting of Botswana’s power mix by 2025. Botswana renewed impetus to unlock potential identi- will be well placed to supply the region’s Minerals Development Mining Company fied in other mineral resources that exist in increasing coal demand.” (MDCB) is an investment company that holds Botswana. and manages mining & minerals assets for Probable business case: the Government of Botswana (GRB). While undergoing the first horizon of its Under investment leading to global supply investment strategy which is primarily gaps vis. installed global coal fired-power Established as a commercial entity, the com- focused on identifying and pursuing com- capacity. pany is mandated and well positioned to mercially attractive investment opportunities grow, optimise and diversify its mining and in Botswana, MDCB has become aware of the Competitive advantages: minerals portfolio as well as facilitate the opportunities listed below. Given some of Relatively low stripping ratios, thick coal development of the local mining and mine- these opportunities have their independent seams, proximity to regional markets. rals sector. MDCB also provides the GRB with owners and sponsors, MDCB cannot warrant commercial and technical advisory services. the accuracy of the information provided Possible constraints: herein. Further, this document is not meant to Rail capacity, funding constraints, pace of The company’s vision is to be a globally com- be an invitation to invest but merely to show technological innovation for power storage petitive investment company, contributing to case Botswana mineral endowment and from renewables. Botswana’s financial security through gene- probable opportunities as highlighted from ration of attractive returns from a resilient publicly available information. Therefore, Known active projects: 4-5 projects. mining and minerals investment portfolio by MDCB does not assume nor incur any liabi- being an active, innovative and responsible lity for any loss arising from any use of the shareholder. information herein or otherwise in connection SODA ASH AND POTASH therewith. Potential investors are strongly MDCB, which is mandated to invest in and out advised to carry out their own comprehen- Overview: of Botswana, has interests in Morupule Coal sive due diligence ahead of considering any Botswana has the only soda ash deposit in Mine Minergy Coal, De Beers Group and BCL1. investments. the region, with growth options that have potential upside trajectory. The expansion of the current mine will support poten- OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MINING & COAL tial increase in salt and soda ash off-take, MINERALS SECTOR potential diversifying into potash and other Overview: related production. The brine reserves have Botswana is endowed with sizeable mineral Botswana is richly endowed with coal with the potential to plug demand for fertilizer and resources, including diamonds which have relatively thick seams at shallow depths and some other industrial supplies. MDCB sees played a key role in turning the country from suitable for power stations, the regional material opportunity to increase regional being one of the poorest countries at inde- industrial industry and international export. salt exports with supportive rail-line capacity. pendence to the middle-income economy it In addition to the two operating coal mines is today. Due to responsible mining backed Morupule Coal Mine and Minergy Coal, there Probable business case: by prudent macro-economic management, are six known coal projects at advanced Growth options for new products such as the country’s minerals have built social stages of development, with an opportunity fertilisers and potash, growth in agriculture infrastructure, continuously improved the to create a coal mining Hub in the country to push demand for fertilisers. quality of life of its citizens and positioned with a few more companies coming on the the country well as one of the leading mining near horizon. Competitive advantages: destinations of choice. Captive inland market According to Fitch-affiliated market analyst Opportunities for investment exist across the BMI Research, “the Botswana government’s Possible constraints: whole mining value chain and include benefi- efforts to develop the coal mining sector Rail capacity, competition from overseas ciation of minerals and as well as participation will yield steady progress, supported by low suppliers. in related ancillary services. Enhancing use operating costs, a solid project pipeline and of technology in ways that leverage off the rising domestic demand. Furthermore, coal- Known projects: 1 well qualified and experienced local mining fired power generation plays an important human capital is a national imperative. In role in southern Africa’s electricity mix, par- addition, the need to diversify the local ticularly in South Africa and Botswana, where mining and minerals sector, which has been BMI forecasts coal to account for over 95%

1. BCL is in final liquidation. 26 / BOTSWANA

IRON ORE Possible business case: Growing global non-manganese based battery and/or other long-term demand from a drive for greener power storage technologies. Overview: technology and electrification (making more The country has an iron ore project located projects viable) . Known projects: 1 in the North-West District. Initial assessments indicate an initial Block 1 resource of 441 Mt Competitive advantages: at 29.4% Fe (translates to circa. 146.2MT of Developing Kalahari Copper Belt region with COAL BED METHANE (CBM) concentrate valued at circa. US$14.9 billion potential for a hub of copper projects, future in situ). It should also be noted that metallur- consolidation of projects possible, projects Overview: gical results confirm a premium product of c. with low capital intensity. The Botswana CBM gas resource is signifi- 67% Fe, with great in-country beneficiation cant, thought to be third in terms of availabi- potential. The project identified an explora- Possible constraints: lity in southern Africa at an estimated 30 tcf tion target of potentially 5 to 7 billion tonnes Logistics, possible competition from the (trillion cubic feet), with a conservative 5 tcf at 15-40% Fe, with a possible life of mine of Zambian and the Democratic republic of of the above gas technically and economi- over 100 years and highly scalable. Congo copper belts. cally recoverable. There is one hybrid power station ready for CBM uptake and a power The resource offers a number of production Known projects: 2 project underway, further exploitation of options including a large mine of 63mtpa of the resource could lead to a large 300 MW ROM. gas-fired power station in the country as well MANGANESE as several smaller power peaking stations. Possible business case: Potential of the resource could also facilitate Growing demand for growing infrastructure Overview: Gas-To-Liquid projects, LNG plants as well projects, strong demand from China and Botswana has manganese bearing deposits as piped gas and CNG to smaller consumers. South East Asia projected. near in the Southern part of the country, Liquefied gas has significant demand in a with this mineralization seeming to be bet- neighbouring country, which could be served Competitive advantages: ter suited for the making of batteries – Thus by Botswana. Possible existence of an extensive ore body. the use in batteries is most exciting prospect for investment potential. According to the Possible business case: Possible constraints: International Manganese Institute, in 2017 Possible export option to South Africa given Logistics, possible competition from total Mn demand for cathode production in small market size of Botswana. seaborne suppliers. Li-ion batteries was 21,000Mt and expected to increase to 163,000Mt by 2027. This pro- Competitive advantages: Known projects: 1 vides a good opportunity for the country to Steadily developing projects and a sizeable continue with further studies to unlock this countrywide resource base. exciting opportunity. An ongoing project COPPER being monitored has recently updated its Possible constraints: mineral resource to 1.7Mt at 25.7% MnO. Slow government support as facilitator and Overview: operator, narrowing window from growing Botswana is endowed with good, but smal- Possible business case: renewable energy production. ler, copper deposits of a similar style of Growing global battery market and possibi- mineralization to that in the Central African lity of producing battery grade product. Known projects: 1 Copperbelt but at shallower depths. There are currently two key long-life projects at Competitive advantages: advanced stages of development to be consi- Proximity to rail and road network into South GOLD dered by MDCB. Selecting the right Strategic Africa’s ports and facilities, possible low capi- Partnerships is seen as critical for long-term tal intensity and operating costs. Overview: success if copper is included in MDCBs near- Botswana has a small known gold resource term strategic options. These developments Possible constraints: with one long running mine currently in ope- are also supported by Government’s commit- Relatively smaller deposits, competition from ration. The mine produced between 24,000 ment to deliver 400Kv electric supplies. well-established producers, establishment of – 35,000 oz annually over the past five years. / 27

Gold price increases over the last year have Possible constraints: Sources of information: favoured such operations. Exploration and Changing industry/market fundamentals mapping continue in its lease areas. such as increasing competition from syn- 1. MDCB Corporate Strategy of 2019. thetic diamonds and ESG factors, increasing 2. http://www.tsodiloresources.com/s/ Possible business case: costs for established mines. Metals.asp?ReportID=609947 Small sustainable operations could provide 3. https://www.sandfire.com.au/ alternative revenue and diversification, explo- Known projects: +4 site/Business/sandfire-emea/ ration potential. Tshukudu-Operations 4. https://giyanimetals.com/projects Competitive advantages: BATTERY METALS 5. https://www.minergycoal.com/ Existing operation could be maintained with about-masama/ good prices supporting. Overview: 6. https://www.galanegold.com/ Botswana is endowed with nickel, copper, operations/mupane/ Possible constraints: manganese and cobalt resources that are 7. http://www.tsodiloresources.com/s/ Relatively smaller resources, historically being re-reviewed and explored. Further, Diamond.asp low exploration activity (resource extension there is activity at varying stages for minerals 8. https://botswanadiamonds.co.uk/ required) therefore short life-of-mine. such as vanadium. operations/botswana/ 9. https://www.gemdiamonds.com/opera- Known projects: 1 Possible business case: tions.php With sustainable long term prices existing assets could be revived and exploration DIAMONDS increased, decarbonisation is gaining signi- For more Informations: ficant momentum. Overview: Botswana’s established diamond mining sec- Competitive advantages: tor as one of the leading revenue generators Existing infrastructure, abundant solar for the country has a long and stable history resource, proximity to inland market should as the largest producer by value. Mining Botswana become a hub for battery metals projects in all stages are ongoing and value beneficiation. chain activity is steadily increasing. The two large producers, Lucara and Debswana, have Possible constraints: announced and commenced expansion plans Resources still underexplored. Doing Business Special Economic up to 2040+. in Botswana Zones Botswana Known projects: TBC Possible business case: Making most of the available resource, skill- set, infrastructure and operating environment could develop smaller mines for added revenue.

Competitive advantages: Sustained government support, established and stable industry with relatively good labour, policy and operating environment; most require simple extraction methods. 28 / CBL-ACP: FINANCIAL DIVISION

THE EU EXTERNAL INVESTMENT PLAN (EIP)

WHY EIP – RATIONALE AND c Will leverage additional financing, in Pillar II - Technical Assistance (TA) BACKGROUND particular from the private sector (crowding in), by reducing the risk c Support local authorities and companies EIP – WHY c A guarantee capacity for credit enhance- preparing bankable projects ment will ultimately benefit the final The Sustainable Development Goals investments c Improving the investment climate in c Will provide liquidity from its guarantee close engagement with the Private On September 25th 2015, countries adopted fund (liquidity cushion) Sector a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of What is Blending? What is Technical Assistance? new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to achieve over the It is a strategic use of a limited amount of EU c Provision of know-how: training, short next 15 years. financial support in order to mobilise financ- and long-term personnel, research, pol- ing from partner International Financial icy and advisory services, studies, com- The Investment gap Institutions (IFIs) and other sources (includ- munication or knowledge sharing ing private sector) and enhance the develop- c Typically a TA project could also include The estimated global investment gap in ment impact of investment projects as long other support activities: supplies and key SDG sectors, 2015 –> 2030 are tril- as this EU support is “additional”. This means equipment, visibility, works... lions of USD, annual average. The Official otherwise the project would not materialise c Ownership by partner government, Development Aid (ODA) alone cannot cover or would materialise in a sub-optimal way. through Steering Committees this gap. Consequently, the European Union c Supported by specialised consulting Institutions need to partner with the private firms and agencies sector in order to cover it. Pillar III - Investment climate Funding by c Total Annual investment needs = 3.9 tril- IFIs, private lions of USD c Structured dialogue with business and public c Current Annual Investment = 1.4 trillions c Market Intelligence & Analytics sector of USD (2020 figures) c Policy and political dialogue c Total Investment Gap = 2.5 trillions of c EU Cooperation USD/year (2014 UNCTAD) Eu contribution

EIP - GOALS EIP INTEGRATED APPROACH – THIS IS HOW THE DOTS CONNECT c Contribute to Sustainable Development * EU contribution vs funding by IFIs, private and c Improve Investment climate public sector c Encourage investment (especially private) c Tackle root causes of irregular migration c Focus on jobs and growth

EIP - HOW Blending & guarantees EIP’s Integrated Approach: the 3-Pillar materialise investment projects

Structure. It is a one-stop-shop for public TA identifies & prepares and private investors. investment proposals EU Delegation Tangible results generate Government investors & Government interest Pillar I - European Fund for Sustainable EU MS Development (EFSD) IFIs Private sector c New guarantee to reduce risk c Blending loans and grants (Africa Investment Platform, EU Neighbourhood Dialogue identifies Investment Platform) TA addresses obstacles to investment investment climate EFSD guarantee constraints c A risk mitigation mechanism to stim- ulate investments in Africa and in the Neighbourhood / 29

NDICI - GLOBAL EUROPE (geographical, thematic and rapid response) In a nutshell, the NDICI Global Europe’ objec- and a more flexible element to counter emerg- tive is to uphold and promote the Union’s val- EIP has ambitious plans for the future. ing crises. Funds can easily be shifted from one ues and interest worldwide via The European Commission is aiming to issue to another within the broader scope of the achieve a more efficient financial architec- instrument. It also provides a more policy-driven c Simplification ture for investment outside the European and inclusive approach, with potentially more c Consistent and flexible approach Union. The new investment architecture direct input from local and national stakehold- c Rapid response and programmed is the Neighbourhood, Development and ers. The new instrument can help closing gaps cooperation International Cooperation Instrument and avoiding overlaps in the multitude of EU (NDICI) also known as Global Europe. external programmes. This means that EU poli- It is the main instrument for EU cooperation cies focusing on poverty reduction, protection of and development with partner countries. The NDICI combines all EU external action pro- human rights and crisis response would now all grammes into one broad financing tool. This new be financed via this single instrument. instrument is made of three main components

NDICI - GLOBAL EUROPE - STRUCTURE

GEOGRAPHIC THEMATIC RAPID RESPONSE

c Neighbourhood c Human Rights and Democracy c Crisis Response and Conflict Prevention c Sub-Sahara Africa c CSOs c Resilience and linking human- c Asia and Pacific c Peace, Stability and Conflict itarian and development prevention c Americas and the Caribbean actions c Global Challenges c Foreign policy needs and priorities

EFSD + ERASMUS + Emergency challenges and priorities cushion

NDICI - GLOBAL EUROPE - FEATURES

Official development assistance - At least 93% of total amount

Climate - 30% of total amount

Human development - At least 20% of ODA funding

Gender - 85% of actions as principal or significant objective

Geographisation MANON KIZIZIÉ Advisor Financial Division - CBL ACP

Source: EIP website: https://ec.europa.eu/eu-external-investment-plan/home_en NDICI related: EU – Private sectors consultations slides (May 2021) 30 / CBL-ACP: EVENTS

EVENTS ET ACTIVITÉS DE LA CBL-ACP

Tuesday 18th of May Virtual General Assembly of the CBL-ACP. We wish to welcome the new elected board members: APEC- Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center vzw – Mrs. Nele VOORSPOELS DENYS N.V. – M. Johan VAN WASSENHOVE 21 May 2021- Work meeting with Mr Khalid QGM Holding Ltd, - M. Quentin GAUDISSART M. Ali Executive Director of the European M. Frédéric GEERTS – Banque Rotschild Chamber of Commerce in Sudan and Martin Maurel – Membre fondateur du CEMA Mr G. Bultynck Chairman of CBL-ACP and POLYTRA N.V.- M. Amaury LUYCKX Mr H.Cherif, Head of bilateral section. PPMGL SRL – M. Frédéric LERNOUX TEXAF S.A. – M. Jean-Philippe In June, the CBL-ACP organized, in collabora- WATERSCHOOT tion with the embassy of Kenya, a presiden- tial working breakfast. During this successful Our warmest congratulations to the newly ap- event a new cooperation agreement was pointed Vice-chairman M. Amaury LUYCKX. signed between the KNCCI and CBL-ACP.

MISSION ECONOMIQUE VIRTUELLE BENIN-BELGIQUE - 22 & 23 JUIN 2021

Les 22 et 23 juin a eu lieu la mission économique virtuelle Bénin-Belgique, une première pour CBL-ACP. Avec près de 110 inscriptions, CBL-ACP est honoré de vous annoncer que cette mission fut un succès car, malgré les limites que pose le virtuel, il permet également une plus grande flexibilité dans l’organisation de B2B. Zoom sur cette première mission économique organisée totalement en virtuel !

Pourquoi le Bénin ? sée que s’inscrit cette mission économique Jourdain qui représente le port d’Anvers lors virtuelle Bénin-Belgique. de la séance d’ouverture de la mission nous Grand de 114 763 km², le Bénin possède des fait l’honneur d’une présentation PowerPoint frontières avec quatre pays (Togo, Burkina Firmin Akpagbe, notre représentant per- sur la présence du Port d’Anvers à Cotonou. Faso, Niger et Nigéria) ainsi que 121 km de manent au Bénin nous confie : « Cette Présentation que vous pourrez retrouver côte. Nous avions déjà présenté les multi- présente mission permet aux entreprises grâce au QR Code en bas de cet article. ples potentialités du pays dans un article belges d’identifier, à travers des entre- que vous pouvez trouver dans l'édition de prises du Bénin, des niches d’opportunités. Comment cette mission a-t-elle été organisée ? mars 2021. Celui-ci expliquait comment La présente mission économique virtuelle les institutions gouvernementales avaient s’inscrit dans une approche de réduction Au vu de l’engouement des divers acteurs engagé des réformes afin de soutenir l’en- de l’incidence financière qu’engendrent les économiques impliqués, nous avons décidé, treprenariat et attirer l’investissement privé recherches et négociations de partenariats malgré les limites que pose la situation sani- dans un but de faire éclore ces potentialités d’affaires. Elle contribue également à lever taire, d’organiser une rencontre B2B Bénin- économiques. des contraintes induites par la pandémie du Belgique. Nous avons décidé de faire appel à coronavirus sur les activités économiques la plateforme B2Match pour le support virtuel La crise du coronavirus n’a pas épargné et commerciales au plan international. de cette mission économique. le Bénin, bien au contraire, et il est impé- La gestion du Port Autonome de Cotonou ratif d’initier des échanges économiques déléguée au Port d’Anvers de la Belgique est Après l’enquête menée par notre représen- aujourd’hui tout en ayant une perspective déjà une réalité avec des résultats significatifs tant permanent, nous avons ainsi décidé de à long terme à l’esprit. C’est dans cette pen- et fort encourageants » A ce sujet, Edouard cibler 10 secteurs clés : / 31

c Agriculture dence financière est certainement moins éle- c Agro-industrie vée. » - Firmin Akpagbe. c Énergie & Énergies renouvelables c Construction & BTP Le contexte sanitaire actuel et son inscrip- c Mines & Hydrocarbures tion dans un univers toujours plus digita- c Transport & Logistique lisé, toujours plus distancié tout en étant c Digital & Économie Numérique davantage connecté demande une capacité c Technologies de l’Information et de la d’adaptation rapide. Pour ce faire, rester à Communication (TIC) l’écoute du monde et être à l’affut de l’ouver- c Élevage & Pêche ture des opportunités est primordial. Avec PDF de présentation du port d'Anvers c Tourisme & Artisanat l’aide de Mr. Akpagbe, ces opportunités ont & du port autonome de Cotonou été identifiés dans l’article susmentionné : Après prospection et une motivation accrue « Les entreprises béninoises cherchent à des entreprises participantes, nous avons saisir, densifier ou développer l'exploitation entamé la mission avec plus de 100 ins- des potentialités en lien avec des entreprises criptions, belges et béninoises confondues. qui peuvent contribuer à l'identification des La mission s’ouvre avec les discours inspi- marchés notamment le marché aval qui rants du Managing Director de CBL-ACP, est l'écoulement des produits » - Firmin Jaques Evrard, de Son Excellence Monsieur Akpagbe. l’Ambassadeur Belge, Xavier Leblanc et des représentants de CBL-ACP au Bénin, C’est ainsi que, grâce à un cadre macroé- Mr Firmin Akpagbe, du port d’Anvers, de la conomique favorable de partenariat CCIB, du CNBP, d’ENABEL, d’EUROCHAM Public-Privé, des secteurs comme celui Bénin et finalement de Credendo. de l’agriculture (32 % des entreprises participantes), la construction (21 %) et bien Après cette petite heure discursive ponctuée d’autres trouvent la possibilité de se déve- d’aléas techniques inhérents à la rencontre lopper via ces rendez-vous virtuels et mal- virtuelle, les rendez-vous pris les semaines gré le contexte sanitaire actuel. L’heure précédant l’événement peuvent commencer. est au virtuel et au digital, la représenta- tion forte du secteur des Technologies C’est ainsi que, via cette plateforme, plus de l’Information et de la Communication de 70 rendez-vous ont été fixé entre les avec 37 % de la totalité des entreprises le LEILA BOUITA entreprises belges et béninoises. Tel un prouve : « Concernant le secteur de l’éco- Chargée de la mission économique speed-dating professionnel, ceux-ci se font nomie numérique et la digitalisation, l’ex- virtuelle Bénin-Belgique 2021 par tranches de trente minutes afin de per- ploitation optimale des investissements [email protected] mettre l’efficience dans le temps. Les entre- en infrastructures réalisés par les pouvoirs prises qui « matchent » ont la capacité par publics et les opérateurs privés pourra être la suite de rester en contact et d’initier un suscitée à travers des relations avec des éventuel partenariat. entreprises belges et celles du Bénin. Cela est d’autant plus indiqué que le gouverne- Les missions virtuelles, l’avenir ? ment est dans la dynamique du développe- ment des infrastructures aux fins de faire Organiser une mission économique virtuelle, du pays une référence dans la sous-région » il fallait y penser et surtout il fallait oser. - Firmin Akpagbe. Le virtuel ne remplacera jamais la chaleur des rencontres en présentiel, cependant, il n’enlève rien à la pertinence des missions Comment va se concrétiser la suite de cette économiques dans leur rôle initiatrices et mission ? cultivatrices de projets économiques. L’objectif est de déboucher sur une mission Si le virtuel présente certes des limites, il offre en présentiel à partir des résultats des entre- également un potentiel organisationnel non tiens B2B et des opportunités identifiées par négligeable. Comme nous explique notre repré- les entreprises belges, nous explique Firmin sentant permanent au Bénin, les approches Akpagbe : « Il est indiqué de faire le point sont très différentes dans les deux cas : « La avec elles pour davantage appréhender les mission économique virtuelle a été organisée contours d'une telle mission. La deuxième FIRMIN AKPAGBE suivant une approche sélective des entreprises raison est que cela a été annoncé par l'Am- Représentant de CBL-ACP au Bénin au Bénin. Un profil a été défini. Par contre pour bassadeur dans son discours. Il pourra être [email protected] toute mission en présentiel, les participants également associé à la préparation. » sont nombreux et c'est à travers les échanges que les deux parties apprécient la capacité Le virtuel n’a donc pas remplacé le voyage, il l’a ou non d'établir un partenariat d'affaires. seulement précédé et facilité. Pour connaitre De même pour les entreprises belges, l'inci- la suite, restez « branché » ! 32 / CBL-ACP: STAFF & MEMBERS

CBL-ACP: STAFF & MEMBERS

MANAGING EXECUTIVE DEPUTY MANAGER DIRECTOR MANAGER MANAGER

Jacques Corine Didier Jennifer EVRARD COURBET VERHELST LEFEBURE

FINANCING DIVISION

VICE-CHAIRMAN ADVISOR Alexander Manon HERRING KIZIZIÉ

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

HONORY Paul ADVISOR VICE-CHAIRMAN FRIX Manon Maurice KIZIZIÉ VERMEESCH

ADVISORS

Henri Paul Jacques Solange Jorge Thierry CLAEYS HONORY CHALON FRIX NYSSEN PITROIPA SANTOS BOUUAERT VICE-CHAIRMAN Maurice VERMEESCH

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