Putin tightens control over Africa with construction of new pipeline in Congo

Russia has approved the construction of a fuel pipeline in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of its latest investment in African infrastructure.

The pipeline will enable the transport of refined petroleum products between the Republic of Congo’s two largest cities, Pointe-Noire, and the capital Brazzaville, solving a fuel shortage that has long plagued the African country.

The project, which was given the green light by Russian officials on Tuesday, will be jointly owned by Russian pipeline builder ZNGS Prometey, which will own 90 percent of the project, while The remaining 10 percent will be owned by the Congo National Oil Company.

Although Congo is rich in oil, with crude oil accounting for more than 70% of exports, most of its crude oil must be shipped abroad for refining. This means the country is dependent on external markets, which has often led to domestic fuel shortages, especially during times of global market disruption.

The new pipeline will transport fuel from coastal refineries to inland regions of Congo, where fuel shortages have historically been most acute.

The construction was initially proposed in 2017 but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The formal decision was made at the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Trade and Economic Commission in September 2022, where Russia and the Democratic Republic of Congo presented an intergovernmental agreement on the construction. The project is expected to be fully completed by 2026 and will last at least 25 years, according to the Moscow Times.

Newsweek contacted ZNGS Prometey and the Republic of Congo Department of Industry for comment on the construction project.

Russia’s ambassador to Congo, Georgy Chepik, told Construction Review that the Russian company’s involvement in the African country was “comparable to Rusal’s involvement in Guinea and Alrosa’s involvement in Angola”, countries that are already benefiting greatly from Russian involvement, and that “it is a very important, significant presence for us”.

Russia has also been carrying out more military operations in Africa. Earlier this year, in May, reports indicated that at least 1,800 Russian soldiers and mercenaries were deployed to Libya and Niger. At the time, the U.S. State Department accused Moscow of using mercenaries in Libya to interfere in the conflict there.

The All Eyes On Wagner project also found that many of the soldiers Russia transferred to Africa came from Ukraine.

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