BYD Explores Electric Bus, EV Assembly and Battery Projects in DR Congo

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is exploring electric bus, vehicle assembly and battery projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the company looks at opportunities in the country's growing electric mobility and energy sectors.

The discussions took place between BYD and the National Investment Promotion Agency (ANAPI) on September 11, with the two sides examining possible projects covering electric buses, local EV assembly, battery manufacturing and energy storage. ANAPI published details of the meeting on September 15.

The proposals remain at an exploratory stage. Technical discussions will determine the potential investment amounts, timelines, infrastructure requirements and operating arrangements for any projects that move forward.

BYD looks at local EV production

BYD's discussions with ANAPI cover several areas of electric mobility.

The company is considering introducing electric buses in the DRC, while also examining the possibility of assembling electric vehicles locally. Battery manufacturing and assembly are part of the discussions, alongside energy storage and power-generation solutions.

ANAPI says the projects would support efforts to modernise urban transport and gradually replace older vehicles with cleaner alternatives. Local assembly and battery activities would also create opportunities for technical skills development, employment and technology transfer.

No investment value or construction timeline has been announced.

Cobalt gives the project a local supply-chain angle

The discussions come as the DRC works to develop more value from its mineral resources.

The country is the world's largest producer of cobalt, a mineral used in several battery technologies. The International Energy Agency estimates that BYD accounted for about 35% of Africa's electric car sales in 2025, up from 4% in 2023, giving the manufacturer an expanding presence in the continent's EV market.

Kinshasa has been pursuing greater local participation in the cobalt industry, including efforts to improve traceability and increase the role of domestic processing and industrial buyers. State-owned Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) has a role in organising and formalising the artisanal cobalt supply chain.

A BYD operation in the DRC would therefore place vehicle, battery and energy activities closer to one of the world's major sources of cobalt, although the current discussions do not establish that BYD would source cobalt locally.

Talks now move to technical details

ANAPI says further technical discussions will determine whether the proposals develop into formal investments.

The agency is expected to support BYD with information on the country's investment regulations and incentives, while connecting the company with government institutions and other stakeholders involved in potential projects.

BYD already has operations and partnerships in several African markets, including South Africa, Egypt and Morocco, as well as energy-storage activity in the Republic of Congo.  The current talks place electric transport, battery production and energy storage alongside its push to develop more industrial activity around its mineral resources. Any move from discussions to investment will depend on the technical studies and terms agreed between BYD and the Congolese authorities.