The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) says it will soon establish a Congolese Water Agency aimed at strengthening the protection, management and economic development of the country’s vast freshwater resources.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and the New Climate Economy, Marie Nyange Ndambo, during a joint media briefing with Communication and Media Minister Patrick Muyaya.

According to the minister, the new institution is intended to both safeguard the country’s water resources and unlock their economic potential.

« The DRC holds more than 50% of Africa’s freshwater reserves. Today, water is considered ‘blue gold’ because it can drive an entire economy. We therefore need an institution dedicated to protecting this resource while also helping transform it into a source of national development, » Ms Ndambo said.

Government officials say the reform comes as climate change, environmental degradation and increasing pressure on natural ecosystems threaten water resources worldwide, including in the DRC.

The future Water Agency will be responsible for improving water governance, supporting sustainable management of river basins and developing long-term strategies to protect the country’s freshwater resources.

Authorities also believe the agency could strengthen the DRC’s leadership on regional water issues, as several African countries face growing water shortages linked to climate change and population growth.

Beyond conservation, the government hopes to make water an economic asset capable of generating revenue and supporting national development.

« This agency will help us develop strategies to ensure that the DRC’s water resources contribute to the country’s economy and long-term development, » the minister added.

Home to the Congo River Basin, the world’s second-largest rainforest watershed after the Amazon, the DRC possesses one of the planet’s richest freshwater systems. The government views these resources as a strategic asset for both environmental sustainability and economic growth.

Officials have not yet announced when the Congolese Water Agency will formally begin operations or how it will be structured.