La grève déclenchée le 1^er juin 2026 par les travailleurs de Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) fait peser un risque sur l’un des principaux sites de production de cuivre et de cobalt en République démocratique du Congo. Au cœur du conflit : la contestation de la nouvelle convention collective signée entre la direction de l’entreprise et la délégation syndicale.

Selon des informations relayées par Radio Okapi, les employés poursuivent leur mouvement dans la province du Lualaba, estimant que l’accord conclu ne reflète pas suffisamment leurs revendications salariales et sociales. Ils dénoncent également un processus de négociation jugé peu inclusif.

Dans un mémorandum adressé le 2 juin 2026 au directeur général de TFM, les grévistes accusent la délégation syndicale d’avoir finalisé la révision de la convention collective sans consultation préalable de la base des travailleurs.

Les revendications portent notamment sur la revalorisation du salaire de base, le paiement intégral des heures supplémentaires et l’amélioration générale des conditions de travail. Les agents réclament aussi une indemnité de logement équivalente à 30 % du salaire net, une allocation scolaire de 85 dollars par enfant, une meilleure couverture médicale ainsi qu’une prime de fin de négociation de 1 500 dollars.

Le mouvement a déjà provoqué des perturbations sur le site. Selon Radio Okapi, plusieurs machines industrielles seraient à l’arrêt. Des sources locales font également état de blocages de certaines voies d’accès au site minier, destinés à empêcher les travailleurs favorables à la reprise des activités d’accéder à leurs postes.

Site stratégique

L’enjeu dépasse le seul conflit social interne. TFM, filiale du groupe chinois CMOC, figure parmi les actifs miniers les plus stratégiques du pays. Selon les statistiques minières 2025 de la Cellule technique de coordination et de planification minière (CTCPM), l’entreprise a produit 509 352 tonnes de cuivre et 32 551 tonnes de cobalt en 2025.

Ces volumes représentent environ 14,6 % de la production nationale de cuivre et près du tiers de la production congolaise de cobalt, même si les données nationales de cobalt publiées par la CTCPM sont en décalage avec les chiffres consolidés communiqués par CMOC pour l’ensemble de ses opérations en RDC. D’après les données du groupe chinois, ses opérations en RDC ont produit environ 741 100 tonnes de cuivre et 117 500 tonnes de cobalt en 2025, pour un chiffre d’affaires de 61,3 milliards de yuans, soit environ 8,6 milliards de dollars américains, en hausse de 21,15 % sur un an.

Toute perturbation prolongée des activités de TFM pourrait donc avoir des effets significatifs sur la production minière du pays, mais aussi sur les performances du groupe CMOC en RDC. À ce stade, aucune communication officielle détaillée de la direction de TFM n’a été rendue publique concernant les revendications des travailleurs, l’ampleur exacte de l’impact sur la production ou les modalités de reprise du dialogue social.

La poursuite du mouvement social place donc l’entreprise face à un double enjeu : contenir les perturbations opérationnelles sur un site majeur de cuivre-cobalt et renouer le dialogue autour d’une convention collective contestée par une partie des travailleurs.

Ronsard Luabeya

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Cuivre : TFM obtient l’homologation LME, un atout de plus pour CMOC en RDC 

Several opposition parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo called a "dead city" strike in Kinshasa on Tuesday to protest a constitutional revision project backed by the ruling coalition, which critics say could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to remain in power beyond his second term, due to end in 2028.

The strike call led to a visible slowdown in economic activity across parts of the Congolese capital, though it fell short of a complete shutdown.

From the early morning hours, commercial activity varied by district. At Kinshasa's central market, commonly known as "Zando," a number of traders chose not to open their stalls, citing caution and concerns about low foot traffic or possible unrest.

In the Limete commune, businesses remained open but saw significantly fewer customers than usual. Traders reported a decline in customer traffic, leading to lower sales and slower trading activity.

Transport disrupted

Transport was also affected, though unevenly across the city. Some bus and taxi services continued to operate, but demand was irregular and services ran less frequently in certain areas.

Traffic on several major roads appeared lighter than on a normal working day, reflecting a degree of caution among residents. Traffic remained relatively steady on some key thoroughfares, however.

On Boulevard Lumumba, traffic flow remained consistent, with the usual presence of vehicles and motorcycle taxis. In the Gombe commune, the city's administrative and business hub, activity was below normal, with relatively few people visible in public spaces.

City authorities had urged residents to go about their daily activities as usual. Schools, public services and transport networks had all been encouraged to remain fully operational.

Ronsard Luabeya

Ce 3 juin 2026, Kinshasa connait une journée marquée par l’appel à une « ville morte » lancé par plusieurs partis de l’opposition. Cette initiative vise à protester contre un projet de révision constitutionnelle porté par la coalition au pouvoir, que ses détracteurs soupçonnent de pouvoir ouvrir la voie à un maintien du président Félix Tshisekedi au-delà de son deuxième mandat, qui s’achève en 2028.

Sur le terrain, cet appel a entraîné un ralentissement visible des activités économiques dans plusieurs secteurs de la capitale congolaise, sans provoquer de paralysie totale.

Dès les premières heures de la matinée, l’activité commerciale est apparue inégale selon les communes. Au marché central de Kinshasa, communément appelé « Zando », plusieurs commerçants ont préféré ne pas ouvrir leurs boutiques, invoquant des raisons de prudence et la crainte d’une faible affluence ou d’éventuelles perturbations.

Dans la commune de Limete, les activités commerciales ont été maintenues, mais avec une fréquentation sensiblement inférieure à la normale. Des opérateurs économiques ont signalé une baisse du flux de clients, se traduisant par une diminution des ventes et un ralentissement des échanges.

Transports perturbés

Le secteur des transports a également été affecté, avec des impacts variables selon les zones de la ville. Certaines lignes de bus et de taxis ont continué à fonctionner, mais avec une demande irrégulière et des rotations réduites par endroits.

Dans plusieurs artères de la capitale, la circulation est apparue moins dense qu’en journée ordinaire, traduisant une certaine prudence des habitants. Certains axes majeurs ont toutefois conservé une activité relativement soutenue.

Sur le boulevard Lumumba, la circulation est restée constante, avec la présence habituelle de véhicules et de taxis-motos. À l’inverse, dans la commune de la Gombe, centre administratif et d’affaires, l’activité est demeurée en deçà du niveau habituel, avec une faible affluence dans les espaces publics.

Face à cet appel à la paralysie, les autorités urbaines avaient invité la population à poursuivre normalement ses activités. Les établissements scolaires, les services publics ainsi que les réseaux de transport avaient été encouragés à rester pleinement opérationnels.

Ronsard Luabeya

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Projet de révision de la constitution : les enjeux économiques éclipsés par la politique

Baobab RDC, a microfinance institution operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, signed a memorandum of understanding with insurer Rawsur Life on May 26, 2026, to integrate death and permanent disability coverage into the loans it extends to clients.

The arrangement is designed to mitigate the financial impact of death or permanent disability on loan repayment. In the event of a borrower's death or permanent disability, the insurance can cover the outstanding loan balance, subject to the terms of the contract.

For Baobab RDC, the initiative serves a dual purpose: protecting families from being left with the borrower's debt in the event of a claim, and reducing the credit risk associated with its loan portfolio.

The partnership comes as the institution seeks tighter control over portfolio quality. In its Pillar III report for the first half of 2025, Baobab RDC identified credit risk as its primary risk exposure. The document also noted a rise in delinquent loans, with the share of the portfolio where repayments were more than 30 days overdue climbing from 5.7% at end-2024 to 11.82% at end-June 2025.

The integration of death and disability insurance is being presented as an additional tool to protect borrowers while strengthening loan security.

According to Baobab RDC Managing Director Sandrine Maïndombe, the new offering reflects the institution's commitment to supporting clients beyond providing credit. She said the insurance would strengthen protection for borrowers and their families against the financial consequences of death or permanent disability.

The coverage is available to individuals and businesses applying for a loan from Baobab RDC who meet the institution's eligibility criteria. It will be offered across all Baobab RDC branches in Kinshasa.

Growth in life insurance

The partnership also provides for swift claims processing. In the event of a borrower's death, the outstanding loan balance can be settled within three to ten days of submission of the required documents, including a death certificate. In cases of permanent disability certified by a physician or an accredited healthcare facility, the remaining debt will be covered in accordance with the terms of the insurance contract.

Rawsur Life Managing Director Hugues Toto said the collaboration is part of the insurer's strategy to develop tailored insurance solutions for financial institutions and their clients. He noted that this type of coverage has already been deployed with several microfinance institutions in the DRC for a number of years.

The partnership also reflects the gradual development of bancassurance and micro-insurance in the Congolese market. In a microfinance sector exposed to repayment defaults linked to borrowers' personal circumstances, the integration of insurance products serves both as a social protection mechanism and a risk-mitigation tool for lenders.

The Congolese life insurance market remains relatively small but is expanding. According to the 2024 annual report of the insurance regulatory authority ARCA, premiums written in the life segment totalled $35.09 million in 2024.

Within that segment, Rawsur Life has consolidated its position as market leader. Between 2022 and 2024, the company accounted for 61.85% of the life insurance market in the DRC. Over the same period, its revenue rose from $6.83 million to $21.70 million, one of the strongest growth rates recorded in the sector.

Ronsard Luabeya

The provincial government of Tshopo has announced new reference prices for gasoline in response to a supply shortage and a surge in prices blamed on speculative practices.

In a statement released on June 1, 2026, the province's economy ministry said the decision followed consultations with relevant stakeholders. The aim is to establish a pricing framework that reflects the province's different fuel supply routes.

Under the new schedule, a liter of gasoline sourced through the eastern supply route is set at 5,000 Congolese francs, while fuel delivered through the western route must be sold at 3,500 Congolese francs.

Provincial authorities called on all participants in the fuel distribution chain to comply with the new prices, warning that violators would face penalties under existing sector regulations.

Tensions in Kisangani

The announcement comes amid acute tensions on the fuel market in Kisangani. According to several local media outlets, a liter of gasoline sold in recent days for between 9,000 and 12,000 Congolese francs at some retail outlets, well above prevailing prices. The closure of several filling stations has further worsened supply difficulties.

For several months, Tshopo has faced significant price disparities linked to its dual fuel supply system. The province is supplied through both the western route, primarily via Kinshasa and the Congo River, and the eastern route, which relies more heavily on regional corridors through neighboring countries.

In an effort to narrow these price gaps, Governor Paulin Lendongolia Lebabonga traveled to Kinshasa in May to meet national authorities. The discussions focused on identifying more durable solutions to the imbalances affecting the local fuel market.

Provincial authorities did not disclose the full range of measures agreed upon in Kinshasa or provide a timeline for their implementation. In the near term, the new pricing schedule is intended to stabilize the market, curb speculation and provide greater certainty for consumers and businesses.

Ronsard Luabeya

L’institution de microfinance Baobab RDC veut mieux protéger ses clients et sécuriser son portefeuille de prêts. Elle a signé, le 26 mai 2026, un protocole d’accord avec la compagnie d’assurance Rawsur Life afin d’intégrer une couverture décès et invalidité aux crédits accordés à sa clientèle.

Ce dispositif doit permettre de limiter les conséquences financières d’un accident de vie sur le remboursement des prêts. En cas de décès ou d’invalidité permanente de l’emprunteur, l’assurance pourra prendre en charge le solde restant dû, selon les conditions prévues par le contrat.

Pour Baobab RDC, l’enjeu est double : éviter que les familles ne supportent seules le poids d’une dette en cas de sinistre et réduire les risques liés aux crédits accordés.

Ce partenariat intervient alors que l’institution cherche à mieux maîtriser la qualité de son portefeuille. Dans son rapport Pilier III du premier semestre 2025, Baobab RDC identifie le crédit comme son principal risque. Le document fait aussi état d’une hausse des prêts en difficulté, avec une part du portefeuille de prêts dont les remboursements accusent un retard de plus de 30 jours passé de 5,7 % fin 2024 à 11,82 % à fin juin 2025.

L’intégration d’une assurance décès-invalidité apparaît ainsi comme un outil complémentaire de protection des clients et de sécurisation des prêts.

Selon la directrice générale de Baobab RDC, Sandrine Maïndombe (photo), cette nouvelle offre traduit la volonté de l’institution d’accompagner ses clients au-delà du financement de leurs activités. Elle estime que l’assurance permettra de renforcer la protection des bénéficiaires de crédit et de leurs proches face aux conséquences financières d’un décès ou d’une invalidité.

La couverture s’adresse aux personnes physiques et morales sollicitant un crédit auprès de Baobab RDC et remplissant les conditions d’éligibilité fixées par l’institution. Elle sera disponible dans l’ensemble des agences de Baobab RDC à Kinshasa.

Expansion de l’assurance-vie

Le partenariat prévoit aussi un traitement rapide des dossiers. En cas de décès de l’emprunteur, le solde restant dû du crédit pourra être réglé dans un délai de trois à dix jours après la transmission des documents requis, notamment l’acte de décès. En cas d’invalidité permanente reconnue par un médecin ou un établissement de santé agréé, la dette restante sera couverte conformément aux clauses du contrat d’assurance.

Pour le directeur général de Rawsur Life, Hugues Toto, cette collaboration s’inscrit dans la stratégie de l’assureur visant à développer des solutions de prévoyance adaptées aux besoins des institutions financières et de leurs clients. Il rappelle que ce type de couverture est déjà déployé depuis plusieurs années auprès de plusieurs institutions de microfinance en RDC.

Ce partenariat illustre aussi le développement progressif de la bancassurance et de la micro-assurance sur le marché congolais. Dans un secteur de la microfinance exposé aux défauts de remboursement liés aux aléas personnels, l’intégration de produits d’assurance apparaît comme un outil de protection sociale, mais aussi de réduction du risque pour les prêteurs.

Le marché congolais de l’assurance-vie reste encore limité, mais il connaît une phase d’expansion. Selon le rapport annuel 2024 de l’Autorité de régulation et de contrôle des assurances (ARCA), les primes émises dans la branche Vie se sont établies à 35,09 millions de dollars en 2024.

Dans ce segment, Rawsur Life conforte sa position de leader. Entre 2022 et 2024, la compagnie a représenté 61,85 % du marché de l’assurance-vie en RDC. Sur la même période, son chiffre d’affaires est passé de 6,83 millions de dollars à 21,70 millions de dollars, soit l’une des plus fortes progressions enregistrées dans la branche.

Ronsard Luabeya

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Investissements : l’ANAPI et l’ARCA veulent faire de l’assurance un levier d’attractivité

Assurances : Africa Re arrive à Kinshasa pour renforcer la rétention locale des primes

Since 2008, the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), an institution affiliated with the African Development Bank (AfDB), has helped African governments negotiate complex transactions and protect their interests in high-stakes legal matters. Based on this experience, ALSF Chief Operations Officer Maude Vallée highlights recurring weaknesses in mining contracts, the need to build lasting expertise within African governments, and ways to address increasingly sophisticated tax avoidance schemes. She spoke with us in Brazzaville during the AfDB Annual Meetings, held from May 25 to 29, 2026. 

Bankable: Many disputes and government revenue losses in the mining sector stem from poorly drafted contractual provisions, such as tax, production-sharing, stabilization, and renegotiation clauses. What are the most recurring weaknesses the ALSF identifies when reviewing mining contracts?

Maude Vallée: Contract drafting is ultimately shaped by the relationship between the state, the mining company, and the project developer. Yet many of the weaknesses that later emerge in contracts originate much earlier, particularly during technical studies and financial modeling, which are not always conducted with sufficient time, resources, or rigor.

Within the contracts themselves, certain provisions are often drafted too broadly and lack sufficient precision. Local content clauses are a good example, as are provisions governing the infrastructure needed to support mining operations. Mining projects require far more than extraction alone; they depend on a broader ecosystem of supporting infrastructure that must be planned, financed, and integrated into the project from the outset.

Another issue that states often underestimate is the importance of negotiating robust shareholder agreements. States are frequently shareholders in mining projects and therefore need mechanisms that allow them to raise strategic concerns and influence technical decisions with financial implications

Stabilization clauses have also been the subject of considerable debate. For many years, they were drafted too broadly and for excessively long durations, creating a risk of effectively freezing the contractual relationship. Today, the trend is toward narrower, more targeted stabilization clauses with shorter durations. These provisions are increasingly focused on issues that are critical to investors, such as taxation or exchange-rate regimes, while remaining much more limited in other areas. At the same time, certain matters that are fundamental to the state — including environmental standards, labor protections, and human rights obligations — are matters of public policy and cannot be contractually insulated from future legislative or regulatory change.

Another issue that states often underestimate is the importance of negotiating robust shareholder agreements. States are frequently shareholders in mining projects and therefore need mechanisms that allow them to raise strategic concerns and influence technical decisions with financial implications. Shareholder agreements can also establish the framework governing the distribution of dividends and other financial benefits to the state. It is a critical instrument that should never be overlooked.

Another point that is often overlooked is what happens after signature. Many people assume that once a contract has been signed, the work is done. In reality, that is when implementation begins. Both public and private partners have obligations to fulfill, and responsibilities must be clearly defined

At the ALSF, we support states throughout the project cycle. Upstream, this includes reviewing technical studies and advising on mining title award processes. We then assist during project structuring and negotiations, covering not only mining agreements themselves but also shareholder agreements and the full range of related project documents and conventions. Our objective is to help governments secure arrangements that are both bankable for investors and aligned with the country's long-term development interests.

Bankable: Contract governance does not end when an agreement is signed. How does the ALSF ensure that the expertise developed during a transaction remains within government institutions, rather than leaving with external advisers once the deal is done?

MV: That concern is at the heart of the ALSF's mission. Our objective is not simply to help governments close a transaction, but to ensure that the knowledge and expertise developed during that process remain within public institutions long after the deal is signed.

We pursue that goal in several ways. We support governments during project structuring and negotiations, but we can also become involved much earlier by reviewing technical studies and other key project documents. We also help governments identify and manage risks before agreements are signed. Too often, there is a tendency to view the signature as the finish line, when in reality it is only the beginning. The key question is whether all of the project's risks and long-term implications have been properly understood and anticipated.

Capacity building is central to our approach. It is not limited to classroom training or workshops. The real objective is skills transfer throughout the life of the transaction. The legal, technical, and financial experts supporting governments work alongside negotiating teams, ensuring they understand the issues, trade-offs, and implications of the decisions being made. By the end of the process, the government team is not only equipped to manage the project but is also better prepared for future negotiations.

One final point on production-sharing contracts: it is essential that states precisely define recoverable costs, as well as the monitoring and oversight mechanisms, because this model is fundamentally different from the concessions they are more accustomed to.

Another point that is often overlooked is what happens after signature. Many people assume that once a contract has been signed, the work is done. In reality, that is when implementation begins. Both public and private partners have obligations to fulfill, and responsibilities must be clearly defined. The ALSF therefore develops contract management tools to help governments oversee these long-term relationships effectively.

We also invest heavily in knowledge resources. One example is the Africa Mining Legislation Atlas (AMLA), as well as a similar platform for the petroleum sector. These databases allow governments to compare legislation and contractual provisions across jurisdictions, which can be extremely valuable during negotiations. In 2025, we also published a handbook on production-sharing contracts in the mining sector. While such arrangements have long existed in the petroleum industry, they cannot simply be replicated in mining, where projects and commodities vary considerably. The guide was designed to help governments navigate those differences and is available free of charge on our website.

Finally, we make a point of keeping government negotiating teams fully engaged throughout the process. The external experts do not negotiate on the state's behalf. Instead, they work alongside government officials, explaining issues in real time and helping them assess the implications of different options. Over time, this helps build the institutional knowledge and practical judgment that governments need for future transactions.

Bankable: As oil and gas projects become more complex, governments are increasingly confronted with sophisticated tax-planning strategies, including offshore holding structures and transfer-pricing practices. Is this a growing concern, and what tools does the ALSF have to help states protect their revenues?

MV: You are absolutely right. That sophistication is increasingly visible — and not only in mining or petroleum: it runs through every type of transaction the ALSF works on — infrastructure, PPPs, sovereign finance, energy. Across the board.

We adapt accordingly, because we serve African governments and our objective is to protect their interests. In this kind of transaction, we seek to incorporate practical solutions to counter mechanisms that would erode the tax base, so that states capture a greater share of revenues.

Ultimately, clarity is one of the best safeguards against future disputes. The more precisely rights and obligations are defined, the less room there is for conflicting interpretations later on.

Production-sharing contracts are, again, an important area: we help states think through the feasibility of that type of contractual arrangement. We also provide broad support in reviewing legal and institutional frameworks, so that reforms incorporate solutions suited to this level of sophistication and address issues of illicit financial flows and base erosion. Those frameworks then need to translate clearly into contractual documentation.

One final point on production-sharing contracts: it is essential that states precisely define recoverable costs, as well as the monitoring and oversight mechanisms, because this model is fundamentally different from the concessions they are more accustomed to.

Bankable: The DRC is at the center of intense competition among major powers seeking to secure supplies of strategic minerals. What should Kinshasa do to better capitalize on that interest while safeguarding its economic and legal interests?

MV: This is not a challenge unique to the DRC. It is one that many resource-rich countries across Africa face, and it ultimately comes down to the question of value addition and industrial development.

Africa possesses many of the strategic minerals that are increasingly sought after around the world. The issue is not only how those minerals fit into global supply chains, but also how they can support the development of domestic and regional value chains within Africa itself.

The first step for governments is to identify their own development priorities and determine which minerals are most important to achieving them. The ALSF works with institutions such as the African Development Bank and the African Union to help countries assess these opportunities and develop appropriate strategies.

The first step for governments is to identify their own development priorities and determine which minerals are most important to achieving them.

The larger challenge is to move beyond the export of raw materials and capture more value domestically. That means developing local processing capacity, supporting downstream industries, and building stronger value chains within African economies. Doing so can create jobs, stimulate industrialization, and broaden the tax base. When value is created and taxed at multiple stages of the production chain, the economic benefits are far greater- provided, of course, that governments also have the tools to combat tax avoidance and illicit financial flows.

Bankable: Another practical example concerns mine rehabilitation funds. Several CEMAC countries have struggled to ensure that extractive companies hold these funds domestically rather than offshore. What lessons should governments draw from this experience, and what advice would you offer?

MV: This is a complex issue. The existence of a regional framework such as CEMAC is already an important step because it helps promote a degree of harmonization across member states. We are currently supporting the implementation of the CEMAC directive on public-private partnerships in several member countries, and that work highlights just how important it is for governments to move forward within a common framework.

More broadly, this is not a challenge unique to Central Africa. Similar discussions are taking place across West Africa and other resource-rich regions. The issue is often recognized at the policy level, but those policy objectives are not always reflected clearly in legislation, regulations, and contractual arrangements.

That is frequently where problems emerge. When legal frameworks are vague or incomplete, different parties can interpret the same provisions in different ways, creating uncertainty and increasing the risk of disputes.

For that reason, these issues need to be addressed with much greater precision. The underlying principles are often included in mining codes, but they are not always fully developed in implementing regulations or reflected adequately in contractual documentation. The ALSF can help governments strengthen those frameworks and then support them throughout the structuring, negotiation, and drafting process to ensure that contractual provisions are clear, enforceable, and aligned with the state's objectives.

Ultimately, clarity is one of the best safeguards against future disputes. The more precisely rights and obligations are defined, the less room there is for conflicting interpretations later on.

Interview by Aboudi Ottou

Le gouvernement provincial de la Tshopo a annoncé de nouveaux tarifs pour l’essence, afin de répondre à la carence observée sur le marché local et à la flambée des prix attribuée à des pratiques spéculatives.

Dans un communiqué publié le 1er juin 2026, le ministère provincial en charge de l’Économie indique que cette décision fait suite à des concertations avec les parties concernées. L’objectif est de fixer un cadre de référence pour les prix, en tenant compte des différentes zones d’approvisionnement de la province.

Selon cette nouvelle grille, le litre d’essence provenant du circuit Est est fixé à 5 000 francs congolais, tandis que celui acheminé par le circuit Ouest devra être commercialisé à 3 500 francs congolais.

Les autorités provinciales appellent l’ensemble des acteurs impliqués dans la distribution des produits pétroliers à se conformer à ces tarifs. Elles préviennent qu’en cas de non-respect, les contrevenants s’exposent aux sanctions prévues par les textes régissant le secteur.

Tensions à Kisangani

Cette décision intervient dans un contexte de forte tension sur le marché du carburant à Kisangani. Selon plusieurs médias locaux, le litre d’essence s’est négocié ces derniers jours entre 9 000 et 12 000 francs congolais dans certains points de vente, bien au-delà des prix généralement pratiqués. La fermeture de plusieurs stations-service a également accentué les difficultés d’approvisionnement.

Depuis plusieurs mois, la Tshopo fait face à des disparités importantes liées à son double système d’approvisionnement en produits pétroliers. La province est desservie à la fois par le circuit Ouest, principalement via Kinshasa et le fleuve Congo, et par le circuit Est, davantage dépendant des corridors régionaux passant par les pays voisins.

Pour tenter de réduire ces écarts de prix, le gouverneur Paulin Lendongolia Lebabonga avait entrepris, en mai dernier, des démarches auprès des autorités nationales à Kinshasa. Ces échanges visaient à trouver des solutions plus durables aux déséquilibres observés sur le marché local des carburants.

Les autorités provinciales n’ont toutefois pas détaillé l’ensemble des mesures arrêtées à Kinshasa ni leur calendrier d’application. À court terme, la nouvelle grille tarifaire apparaît comme une tentative d’encadrement du marché afin de contenir la spéculation et de rétablir une certaine visibilité pour les consommateurs et les opérateurs économiques.

Ronsard Luabeya

Lire aussi :

Carburants: la Tshopo cherche à réduire les écarts de prix entre les circuits Est et Ouest

Tshopo: les autorités resserrent le contrôle sur la vente des carburants à Kisangani

Tshopo : les prix des carburants dépassent de plus 11 % les tarifs officiels 

Work has officially begun on the rehabilitation of 300 kilometres of agricultural feeder roads in the Luozi territory of Kongo Central province. The project aims to facilitate the transport of farm produce, improve the movement of people and goods, and support trade in this part of the province.

Announced by the provincial government, the work has been awarded to contractor Union King Services (UKS) and covers the Kivunda, Kimumba and Mongo Luwala sectors.

The works will span several road corridors, according to authorities, including Luozi-Sundi-Sangu, Sundi-Sangu-Sundi-Mamba, Bienga-Tundi, Sundi-Lutete-Yanga and Tomboman-Yanga, before looping back to Luozi to form an integrated road network.

Provincial authorities said the rehabilitation should improve access to the territory, strengthen trade and support local economic development, particularly in this border zone with the Republic of Congo.

Support for production

The launch of the works comes as the territory has recently been highlighted by the agriculture ministry as part of the 2025-26 agricultural season. In February, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Muhindo Nzangi Butondo visited the Mongo Luwala sector, in the village of Nkundi, to inspect operations at GER Plus, a company farming 250 hectares of maize.

During that visit, the minister presented the government's agricultural strategy known as the "4Cs", focused on market gardening, staple crops, perennial crops and oil palm.

The visit also highlighted agricultural mechanisation efforts in the area, with tractors, combine harvesters, shellers and dryers deployed to boost local production.

Against that backdrop, improved access to the farming zones of Mongo Luwala, Kivunda and Kimumba should facilitate the movement of harvests to markets and population centres.

Authorities have yet to release details on the project's total cost, timeline or supervision arrangements.

Boaz Kabeya

Les travaux de réhabilitation de 300 kilomètres de routes de desserte agricole ont été officiellement lancés dans le territoire de Luozi, au Kongo Central. Le projet vise à faciliter l’évacuation des produits agricoles, améliorer la circulation des personnes et des biens et soutenir les échanges commerciaux dans cette partie de la province.

Annoncé par le gouvernement provincial, le chantier est confié à l’entreprise Union King Services (UKS). Il concerne notamment les secteurs de Kivunda, Kimumba et Mongo Luwala.

Selon les autorités, les travaux couvriront plusieurs axes, dont Luozi–Sundi-Sangu, Sundi-Sangu–Sundi-Mamba, Bienga–Tundi, Sundi-Lutete–Yanga et Tomboman–Yanga, avant un retour vers Luozi afin de constituer une boucle routière intégrée.

Pour les autorités provinciales, cette réhabilitation devrait contribuer au désenclavement du territoire, renforcer les échanges commerciaux et soutenir le développement économique local, notamment dans cette zone frontalière avec la République du Congo.

Appui à la production

Le lancement de ces travaux intervient dans un territoire récemment mis en avant par le ministère de l’Agriculture dans le cadre de la campagne agricole 2025-2026. En février dernier, le ministre d’État en charge de l’Agriculture et de la Sécurité alimentaire, Muhindo Nzangi Butondo, s’était rendu dans le secteur de Mongo Luwala, au village de Nkundi, pour visiter l’entreprise GER Plus, qui exploite 250 hectares de maïs.

Au cours de cette mission, le ministre avait présenté la stratégie agricole dite des « 4C », axée sur les cultures maraîchères, les cultures vivrières, les cultures pérennes ainsi que le palmier à huile.

Cette visite avait également mis en lumière les efforts de mécanisation agricole dans la zone, avec le déploiement d’équipements tels que des tracteurs, des moissonneuses-récolteuses, des décortiqueuses et des séchoirs destinés à accroître la production locale.

Dans ce contexte, l’amélioration de l’accès aux zones agricoles de Mongo Luwala, Kivunda et Kimumba devrait faciliter l’acheminement des récoltes vers les marchés et les centres de consommation.

À ce stade, les autorités n’ont pas encore communiqué de détails sur le coût global du projet, le calendrier précis d’exécution ni les modalités de suivi technique des travaux.

Boaz Kabeya

Lire aussi :

Routes : un nouveau programme cible 22 000 km en RDC

Kongo Central : la réhabilitation de 160 nouveaux kilomètres de routes agricoles lancée

Kongo central : la réhabilitation de 550 km de routes de desserte agricole lancé

Routes agricoles : la réhabilitation de 280 km lancée dans le Mai-Ndombe

Entretien de routes agricoles : le PNDA vise 707 km au Kasaï Central