THE Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the world’s most resource-rich countries, is carving out a new prosperity niche as it emerges on the global tech scene. Known for its green metals, cobalt and copper, and the world's second-largest rainforest, the newest member of the East African Community is having a moment in the startup ecosystem. In 2023 the country raised US$62 million in startup funds, making it the single largest contributor to startup funding growth (33% year-on-year) in the where it is clustered. “While being the only region to grow significantly, from $51m in 2022 to $68m in…