Fight against corruption

For a century, the copper-cobalt sector in southern Democratic Republic of the Congo has been the country’s most coveted industry. It is also the sector where the largest sums of money circulate — and where corruption practices are the most severe. Resource Matters works to prevent these abuses and ensure that illicit practices are sanctioned by exposing cases of high-level corruption.

Given the scale of its deposits, the lithium sector is set to play a major macroeconomic role in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Yet signs of corruption are already emerging. Resource Matters is working to prevent misconduct and embezzlement so that this emerging sector can genuinely benefit the Congolese population.

In December 2023, Resource Matters Deputy Director Jean Claude Mputu received the Anti-Corruption Champions Award from the US State Department for his exceptional leadership in combating corruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This prestigious award, presented by the US Bureau for International Crime Control Affairs, recognizes Mputu’s unwavering courage and significant impact in preventing and exposing corruption.

As the spokesperson for the Congo is Not for Sale coalition (CNPAV), of which Resource Matters is a founding member, Mputu has played a crucial role in shedding light on corruption within the mining and hydroelectric sectors, contributing to the ongoing fight against persistent poverty in the country.