Solafune, Inc. (CEO: Ren Uechi), a company developing and providing satellite data analysis technologies and operating the satellite data analysis platform Solafune, has been awarded public funding of USD 5.34 million (approx. JPY 800 million) from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The funding will be used to support a demonstration project aimed at applying satellite and AI technologies for mineral resource management in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In addition, Solafune has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Geological Service of Congo (NGS-C), a public institution under the Ministry of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through this collaboration, the project will work with local institutions to promote transparency and contribute to sustainable resource management in the mining sector.

About UNIDO

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization, and environmental sustainability. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, UNIDO works with governments, businesses, and other stakeholders to foster innovation, build productive capacities, and support the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon economy.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is conducting the programme “Industrial cooperation programme in the Global South through technology transfer from Japan” to promote technological innovation, strengthen supply chains, and establish industrial infrastructure in Global South countries by supporting Japanese companies in conducting large-scale demonstrations, funded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Government of Japan.

Project Overview

Project title:

“Usage of satellite data and artificial intelligence technology for improving the transparency and resilience of the mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo”

• Public Funding Amount: USD 5.34 million (approx. JPY 800 million)

• Funding Organization: United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

• Local Partner: Ministry of Mines, Democratic Republic of Congo – National Geological Survey (NGS-C)

• Key Activities:

  • Monitoring of mining regions using satellite data

  • Resource management and risk analysis through AI technology

  • Development of information infrastructure to support government decision-making

  • Technology transfer and capacity building for local institutions

To learn more about our project, please reference these two URLs:
https://company.solafune.com/news/solafune-signs-mou-ceremony-with-drc-at-ticad9

https://www.ungm.org/Public/ContractAward/150704

Future Outlook

This demonstration project aims to contribute to improved transparency and resilience in the DRC’s mining sector. The lessons learned are expected to serve as a model for strengthening governance in mineral resource management.

■ About Solafune

Solafune is a start-up company that develops and provides satellite data analysis technology with the mission of "Hack The Planet". Our satellite data platform "Solafune" is used in approximately 125 countries and regions around the world, and we are actively providing our technology to countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and other parts of the world.

Company name: Solafune Inc.

URL: https://company.solafune.com

Tokyo Office: Marunouchi Building 28F, 2-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, 100-6390, Japan

CEO: Ren Uechi

Business Activities: Satellite data analysis, software licensing, related services

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■ Contact us

Solafune PR

E-mail: pr@solafune.com