L’Autorité de régulation et de contrôle des marchés des substances minérales stratégiques (Arecoms) a fixé, le 10 octobre 2025, les modalités pratiques de mise en œuvre de la politique des quotas à l’exportation du cobalt en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), décidée le 20 septembre dernier. La répartition, arrêtée par le Conseil d’administration de l’Arecoms, concerne 21 entreprises pour le dernier trimestre 2025 (voir tableau ci-dessous).

Le groupe chinois CMOC, premier producteur mondial de cobalt, se voit attribuer 6 500 tonnes : 4 250 pour sa filiale Kisanfu Mining (KM) et 2 250 pour Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFK), soit près de 36 % du volume global. Glencore suit avec 3 925 tonnes, dont 2 775 pour Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) et 1 150 pour Mutanda Mining (MUMI). À eux seuls, les deux groupes captent 58 % des quotas disponibles.

Cette domination s’explique par la grille de calcul. Le texte précise que « le quota de base est distribué au prorata des quantités historiques exportées entre le 1er janvier 2022 et le 31 décembre 2024 », à l’exception de l’Entreprise générale du cobalt (EGC) et de la Société du Terril de Lubumbashi (STL), qui bénéficient d’un traitement particulier avec respectivement 1 175 et 300 tonnes. Sur la période 2022-2024, CMOC et Glencore ont en effet contrôlé près de 60 % des exportations congolaises.

CMOC, dont l’actionnaire principal est le producteur chinois de batteries CATL, n’a pas encore officiellement réagi. Mais cette répartition pourrait s’avérer problématique pour le groupe, très dépendant du cobalt congolais pour répondre à la demande croissante en Chine. Sa filiale IXM, négociant en métaux, avait d’ailleurs déclaré un cas de force majeure le 30 juin dernier, en raison de l’embargo congolais instauré en février 2025.

Malgré la suspension des exportations, CMOC a maintenu sa cadence en RDC avec 61 073 tonnes extraites au premier semestre 2025. Pour l’ensemble de l’année, le groupe anticipe 100 000 à 120 000 tonnes de production. Or, avec seulement 6 500 tonnes autorisées au quatrième trimestre 2025 et 31 200 tonnes pour 2026 (le quota du mois de décembre étant reconduite pour l’année 2026, sauf en cas de non-respect des règles), l’entreprise ne pourra écouler qu’une petite fraction de ses volumes. En deux ans, ses exportations plafonneraient à 37 700 tonnes, bien en deçà de sa production annuelle.

Même en obtenant l’intégralité des 9 600 tonnes de quotas stratégiques prévus en 2026, la situation resterait critique. Cette possibilité reste d’ailleurs incertaine. Réservé aux projets « d’importance nationale », leur attribution relève de la seule discrétion de l’Arecoms.

Risques

Mais CMOC pourrait aussi se voir retirer ses quotas. Cette sanction est prévue contre toute entreprise qui traite des rejets miniers ou concentrés obtenus auprès de tiers ou des artisans, cède son quota à une autre entreprise, s’abstient d’exporter les volumes alloués ou ne respecte pas les lois et règlements en vigueur.

L’embargo doit prendre fin le 15 octobre, mais la reprise des exportations pourrait être retardée. Pour obtenir un certificat d’exportation, les opérateurs devront désormais présenter le reçu de prépaiement de la redevance minière, valider le quota disponible, fournir un certificat de traçabilité délivré par l’Arecoms et un certificat de conformité environnementale et fiscale.

Depuis la mise en place de l’embargo, le cours du cobalt a plus que doublé. Le 12 octobre 2025, la tonne se négociait à 42 725 dollars sur la Bourse des métaux de Londres, contre 21 000 dollars fin février.

Pierre Mukoko

Lire aussi :

Cobalt : le système de quotas toujours incomplet à l’approche de son entrée en vigueur

Cobalt : la RDC fixe ses quotas d’exportation, le chinois CMOC sous pression

Exportations de cobalt : Glencore et CMOC s’opposent sur la ligne à suivre en RDC

La Société africaine de réassurance (Africa Re) a inauguré, le 9 octobre, un bureau à Kinshasa, en République démocratique du Congo (RDC). Selon Moustapha Coulibaly, président du conseil d’administration d’Africa Re, cette implantation vise à soutenir les compagnies d’assurance locales dans la couverture des risques majeurs et à leur offrir des solutions adaptées aux secteurs stratégiques tels que les mines, l’énergie, les infrastructures et l’agriculture.

Moustapha Coulibaly a également souligné la volonté d’Africa Re d’accompagner l’Autorité de régulation et de contrôle des assurances (Arca) dans la modernisation du cadre réglementaire, un levier essentiel pour renforcer la crédibilité et l’attractivité du marché congolais des assurances.

L’ouverture de ce bureau permet au réassureur panafricain de se rapprocher de ses partenaires locaux afin d’améliorer la rétention des primes au niveau national. Les pertes liées au placement des primes à l’étranger et à la non-perception de la taxe sur la valeur ajoutée (TVA) sont estimées à environ 1,5 milliard de dollars, selon l’Arca en 2023.

Conformément à une circulaire de l’Arca du 29 novembre 2019, les compagnies d’assurance congolaises étaient déjà tenues de céder au moins 5 % de leurs traités de réassurance à Africa Re. Dans la même dynamique, l’Arca et Africa Re avaient lancé en mars 2024 la Facilité de réassurance, un mécanisme collectif permettant aux compagnies d’un même marché de mutualiser leurs risques et de renforcer leur capacité financière face aux sinistres.

Ce dispositif vise à « doter la RDC d’une plus grande capacité de réassurance nationale et d’un meilleur contrôle des opérations d’assurance et de réassurance, notamment dans les secteurs pétrolier, gazier, minier et face aux risques liés aux violences politiques ». Il permet également de limiter l’externalisation des assurances pour les entreprises dont au moins 75 % des risques sont localisés en RDC, conformément aux exigences de l’Arca.

Créée en 1976 par l’Union africaine et la Banque africaine de développement, Africa Re est une institution panafricaine de réassurance dont la mission est de renforcer la capacité du secteur sur le continent. En 2024, elle a enregistré 1,21 milliard de dollars de primes brutes souscrites, en hausse de 9,73 % par rapport à 2023. Son réseau compte 11 implantations réparties entre l’Afrique, le Moyen-Orient, l’Asie et l’Amérique latine, comprenant plusieurs filiales et bureaux régionaux. En RDC, Africa Re devient le deuxième acteur du marché de la réassurance après l’installation du réassureur Zep-Re.

Ronsard Luabeya

Lire aussi :

Réforme des assurances: la RDC fait marche arrière, après l’adoption d’un projet de loi

RDC-Chine: une coopération se met en place contre l’évasion des primes d’assurance

Assurance : un marché en croissance en RDC, projeté à plus d’un milliard $ d’ici 10 ans 

The first meeting between the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC) and the Minister of Finance, Doudou Fwamba, took place on September 25, 2025, at the Financial Center of Kinshasa. According to the FEC’s report, the employers’ organization, led by Robert Malumba, presented several concerns aimed at improving the business climate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The FEC emphasized the need to renew the moratorium on the fiscal clearance certificate, which expired on September 25, 2025. This measure had been introduced to facilitate certain economic transactions, such as opening bank accounts, granting loans, and signing contracts, while assessing the implementation of the standardized invoice reform. The organization considers a temporary renewal of the moratorium essential to prevent new disruptions in business operations.

The private sector also raised tax-related issues, particularly excise duties on products such as sulfuric acid, beer, and tobacco. The FEC recommended reducing these taxes and denounced the application of deforestation tax to agricultural land. It also highlighted difficulties faced by local industries in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and called for clarifications to ensure these mechanisms genuinely support domestic production.

The meeting also addressed the allocation of dividends from mining companies. The FEC urged that their use for state benefit be aligned with governance standards, including holding general meetings.

Other topics discussed included the reimbursement of value-added tax (VAT) credits and the need to harmonize national and provincial tax policies. The FEC called for clear alignment to make the tax system predictable and consistent across the country.

In response, Minister Doudou Fwamba announced the creation of a permanent consultation framework with the FEC and the upcoming establishment of a National Fiscal Mediation Commission. This new body will handle disputes between the state and taxpayers, promote dialogue, enhance transparency, and support an inclusive tax reform.

After its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on October 7, the Central Bank of Congo (BCC) announced a sharp easing of its monetary policy. The benchmark interest rate, which determines the cost at which commercial banks borrow from the central bank, was cut from 25% to 17.5%. The marginal lending facility rate, applied for urgent liquidity needs, was lowered from 30% to 21.5%.

This technical adjustment, the largest since 2021, aims to make financing in Congolese francs (FC) cheaper for commercial banks and, in turn, for the state, businesses, and households. It could encourage lending to economic actors and increase the supply of francs in circulation.

Although not stated explicitly, the BCC’s measures are part of a strategy to restore the role of the franc in domestic transactions and reduce structural dependence on the U.S. dollar, which accounts for over 90% of payments. This is the main objective set by Governor André Wameso since taking office in July.

Behind this monetary goal lies a broader question of sovereignty. Dollar dominance limits the authorities’ ability to manage liquidity and control financial flows. Excessive reliance also exposes the economy to unilateral U.S. decisions, such as potential restrictions on dollar imports. By promoting the use of the Congolese franc, the BCC seeks to reduce external vulnerability and strengthen internal stability as economic fundamentals improve.

According to the MPC, inflation fell from 15.1% in September 2024 to 7.8% a year later, while the national currency appreciated by about 11.6% on the official market and 7.8% on the parallel market, trading at around 2,549 and 2,659 FC per dollar, respectively. For 2026, the BCC forecasts inflation at 6.8%, a more stable exchange rate, and “robust” economic growth.

A Risky Bet

However, the impact of these measures will depend on confidence in the local currency. An increase in the supply of francs without corresponding demand could weaken stability and trigger renewed depreciation.

The DRC’s heavy reliance on imports also poses a major risk. By the end of July 2025, imports had risen by nearly 6%, increasing the need for foreign currency, while exports fell by about 18%, mainly due to suspended cobalt sales. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the faster outflow of foreign currency now represents one of the main risks to maintaining adequate reserves.

Aware of these threats, the BCC said it is ready “to respond in case of a reversal.” To strengthen stability, it plans to absorb excess liquidity by implementing, from October 15, the second stage of the exchange rate adjustment applied to reserve requirements, which has remained fixed at 1,999 FC per dollar since 2021. The governor noted that the first adjustment helped support the franc by withdrawing the equivalent of 371 billion FC from the market.

At the same time, the BCC is encouraging businesses to conduct transactions in francs, while the government plans to collect part of its taxes in the local currency. The rate cut is also expected to help the Treasury refinance domestic debt at lower costs, easing the interest burden on public finances.

The Industrial Promotion Fund (FPI) plans to launch the production phase of its new digital system by the end of 2025, a key milestone in the public institution’s digital transformation.

The announcement was made by Zouheir Ben Ali, Director General of the Tunisian firm Système informatique de gestion automatisée (SIGA), after a meeting earlier this month with FPI Director General Hervé Claude Ntumba Batukonke in Kinshasa.

The initiative is central to the FPI’s reform agenda under its new leadership, which aims to digitalize all services. Upon taking office in August, Ntumba emphasized that technological modernization would be a core pillar of his management strategy. Full digital integration is also a priority in the FPI’s 2026-2028 plan, aimed at improving efficiency and transparency across its operations.

According to the SIGA Director General, two phases of the project, the study and system installation, have been completed. “We have started configuring the system with the departments, so we are now entering phase three,” Ben Ali said after his meeting with the FPI head.

Internal FPI sources said SIGA was selected following an international tender launched in July 2024 for the supply, installation, and implementation of an integrated management system (ERP). A year later, in July 2025, the institution announced it was close to finalizing the partnership, though details have not yet been disclosed.

SIGA develops customized integrated management and information systems for public and private institutions. According to its website, the company also designs large-scale, real-time interactive systems built on optimized databases and 4G technologies. The FPI noted that SIGA currently manages the IT systems for Tunisia’s national railway company, Tunisie Telecom, Tunisair, and several banks.

The FPI, a public financial institution, is mandated to promote local industry, strengthen the national production base, and support balanced industrial development. Its resources are used to finance industrial projects, support research and innovation, and develop economic infrastructure. According to data published on its official website, the FPI granted nearly $6.5 million in loans between April 2024 and May 2025 to six projects in sectors including pharmaceuticals, furniture, beverages, soap production, and printing.

Timothée Manoke

The Regulatory Authority for Subcontracting in the Private Sector (ARSP), the Guarantee Fund for Entrepreneurship in Congo (FOGEC), Rawbank, and Rawsur have launched a national financing program to support Congolese subcontractors in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

Presented to Prime Minister Judith Suminwa on Oct. 6, 2025, the initiative aims to make it easier for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access financing so they can compete for contracts and deliver on them. Loan amounts will range from $10,000 to $1 million, depending on each company’s size and capacity, the Prime Minister’s office said.

Rawbank will provide the funding through its “$20,000 SMEs” program, which has a total budget of $200 million dedicated to integrating local SMEs into the value chains of major corporations. In July, Rawbank Director Rawji Mustafa said during a meeting with the ARSP that 8,000 SMEs had already benefited from the facility. The ARSP will now focus on helping finance the remaining 12,000 businesses, drawing on its market oversight expertise to identify credible SMEs and provide them with tailored support.

ARSP Director General Miguel Kashal said the initiative will not only finance SMEs but also ensure prompt payments by main contractors, helping to stimulate growth. “We will share the list of subcontractors who have won contracts with Rawbank,” Kashal said. “The goal is to help these entrepreneurs grow into major players, because it’s impossible to build strong businesses without support from the banks.”

FOGEC will guarantee the loans, reducing risk for Rawbank and boosting the financial sector’s confidence in local businesses. A monitoring system will also be set up to ensure that funds are properly managed and that the funded projects remain viable.

Ronsard Luabeya 

The Port of Boma, in southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), welcomed the container ship MV APALOS, operated by Maersk Congo, on Tuesday, October 8, 2025. It was the first commercial vessel to dock at the port in more than ten years, according to the Congolese News Agency (ACP).

The ship carried a large number of containers. Interim mayor Claudelle Phemba said the visit followed a July 8, 2025, meeting between the mayor’s office and Maersk Congo, during which the company confirmed plans to resume operations at the facility.

Maersk Congo said the move is part of its broader strategy to diversify logistics access points across the country, in response to growing demand for modern, efficient port infrastructure.

Separately, eight industrial fishing vessels built in Egypt by Pyrlant Shipyard are expected to dock at Boma before entering service.

The Maersk ship’s arrival and the upcoming delivery of the fishing boats could signal the start of a long-awaited revival at the Port of Boma, which has been largely idle for years.

BK

Alphamin Resources Ltd said it expects to produce between 18,000 and 18,500 tons of tin in 2025 at its Bisie mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company raised its April forecast of 17,500 tons, according to an operational update published on October 8.

The operator initially planned to produce 20,000 tons in 2025. However, Alphamin cut its target earlier this year after halting operations in March because of rebel activity in eastern Congo.

The company reported a cumulative output of 13,566 tons in the first nine months of 2025. It expects to add around 5,000 tons in the fourth quarter, which would bring annual production to the new range of 18,000–18,500 tons.

“The Company expects to produce approximately 5,000 tons of contained tin during the final quarter of the financial year which, together with its year-to-date production of 13,566 tons, increases tin production guidance for FY2025 to between 18,000 and 18,500 tons (17,500 tons previously),” the company said in its update.

The Bisie mine produced 5,190 tons of tin in the third quarter, a 26% increase from the second quarter, which had been impacted by the temporary shutdown. The company attributed the rebound to “processing facilities continuing to deliver good results.”

Alphamin reported annual output of 17,324 tons in 2024. The company said final fourth-quarter results will determine whether the revised 2025 target is fully achieved.