fizzling out

DRC: Dan Gertler, from zenith to twilight

in depth

This article is part of the dossier:

Dan Gertler: God, the Congo, and him

By Romain Gras, Mathieu Olivier, Special correspondent in Tel-Aviv

Premium badge Reserved for subscribers

Posted on August 25, 2022 11:55

 © Dan Gertler (photo by Jeune Afrique)
Dan Gertler (photo by Jeune Afrique)

In the 2010s, the Israeli billionaire became a key player in the mining sector. However, during Joseph Kabila’s second term in office, his star faded. Reports denouncing his practices and the losses they would entail for the DRC are accumulating.

This is part 3 of a 4-part series

At the turn of the 2010s, the battle for Katanga Mining and the entry of the Swiss giant Glencore made Dan Gertler a key player in the Congolese mining sector. It seemed that nothing could stop the Israeli tycoon. “At the end of the 2000s, Gertler took advantage of the momentum that accompanied the election of Joseph Kabila, the election of Moïse Katumbi as governor of Katanga and the increase in investment in the province,” says an insider of the former governor, who became an adversary. In 2011, Gécamines also changed boss.

This marked the beginning of 10 years of Albert Yuma’s reign, with whom Gertler also managed to establish a relationship of trust. Even today, it is not uncommon to see the two men chatting on the sky-blue sofas on the 21st floor of the Fleuve Congo Hotel, which is popular with Congolese and foreign VIPs.

Mazembe Almighty

Gertler

There's more to this story

Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from over 54 African countries, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Abidjan to Abuja to Addis Ababa. Africa. Unlocked.

Subscribe Now

cancel anytime