Freelancer profile translated to English.

Description

Michael Bahati is a strategic advisor and geopolitical analyst based in Paris, specializing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He assists investment funds, mining companies, infrastructure developers, and development finance institutions in understanding and managing political, regulatory, and operational risks associated with their commitments in the DRC.

His work covers political risk analysis, regulatory and compliance due diligence, stakeholder mapping, governance reform monitoring, and competitive intelligence on multilateral dynamics in the DRC — notably the US-DRC Strategic Partnership Agreement, the UAE-DRC CEPA, and Chinese engagement in the mining and energy sectors.

Founder and editor of Congo Herald, a leading French-language publication on Congolese politics, critical minerals, and economic reforms, he has an active editorial presence and institutional network in Kinshasa, Paris, and Washington.

For European actors — private equity funds, mining majors, development banks, consulting firms — he represents a rare entry point: on-the-ground expertise in the DRC, a transatlantic reading of geopolitical issues, and a mastery of the regulatory and compliance frameworks that condition any responsible investment in Central Africa.

Industry field of expertise

Languages

French
Native or bilingual
English
Native or bilingual

Workplace preferences

Can work on-site

Paris (up to 50km)

ASCENDANCE STRATEGIES
Senior, Political & Strategic Intelligence DRC
RESEARCH
September 2023 - Today (2 years and 11 months)
Paris, France
Advisory practice dedicated to the DRC, serving European and American investors and operators. Missions: political risk analysis, regulatory and compliance due diligence (Mining Code, fiscal framework, ESG, anti-corruption), evaluation of strategic mining asset opportunities, stakeholder mapping, crisis management. Permanent monitoring of competitive dynamics: US-DRC partnership, UAE-DRC CEPA, Chinese presence. Operates between Paris, Washington, and Kinshasa.
Due Diligence Kinshasa ESG Strategic Partnership
Paris Talks
Founder & Curator
RESEARCH
June 2017 - Today (9 years and 2 months)
Paris, France
International ideas festival bringing together experts from global institutions, governments, and the private sector around technology, geopolitics, and societal transformations. Active network of senior decision-makers in Europe, Africa, and North America.
Event Management Social Media Public Relations Project Management Curation
The Congo Herald
Founder & Editor
PRESS AND MEDIA
January 2025 - Today (1 year and 7 months)
Paris, France
French-language publication of analyses on the DRC: domestic politics, economic reforms, mining and energy sector, regional geopolitics. A reference platform for French-speaking decision-makers, investors, and analysts following Congolese news.
Partnerships Research Media Desktop Publishing Services Risk Analysis