The tourism sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is poised for significant growth, but it urgently needs increased attention and funding. This was the central message M’pambia Musanga, the Minister of Tourism, delivered during a recent forum in Kinshasa to validate the National Strategy for Tourism.

Musanga emphasized that with more investment, the DRC's tourism industry could thrive. He pointed out a concerning gap between promises made by stakeholders and the actual financial disbursements received. To address this, he proposed a new strategy that includes establishing Touristic Villages a project designed to benefit local communities and enhance regional tourism alongside fostering public-private partnerships to attract necessary investments.

The DRC has set ambitious targets for its tourism sector by 2030 as part of its broader economic diversification strategy. Among these goals is the construction of over 30 new hotels rated between three to five stars, upgrading roads leading to major tourist attractions, generating approximately $7 billion annually in tourism revenue, and creating between 200,000 and 500,000 jobs within the sector.

Musanga called on both government and private stakeholders to invest more heavily in infrastructure and services vital for tourism growth. He also urged financial institutions to support significant projects that could transform the sector.

Despite its rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and cultural heritage, the DRC's tourism sector currently contributes less than 2% to the national GDP. This places it far behind other African nations like Kenya (10%), Tanzania (17%), Morocco (7.3%), and South Africa (9%).

Georges Auréole Bamba