The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been officially removed from Japan's list of countries ineligible for credit, a key step in strengthening economic cooperation between Kinshasa and Tokyo.

The decision was made on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan. During a meeting with Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Yōji Mutō, DRC's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Daniel Mukoko Samba praised the development, stating that it opens the door to larger Japanese financing.

"We have been on this list for a very long time. But thanks to partial debt relief, improved economic conditions, and maintaining the electoral cycle, all the guarantees have been given," Mukoko Samba said. "Today, economic cooperation is no longer limited to modest amounts of development aid but is open to major projects."

Beyond access to concessional loans, Kinshasa and Tokyo have agreed to begin negotiations for an investment promotion and protection agreement. The two parties also discussed energy cooperation and opportunities for sustainable economic projects.

Mukoko Samba noted that while a few Japanese startups are already present in the country, the absence of major corporations remains a gap to be filled. He said the DRC’s removal from the ineligible list is a strong signal to encourage their return and support structural projects in energy, infrastructure, and other strategic sectors.

Japan, which has a history of involvement in the DRC through iconic achievements such as the OEBK Bridge in Matadi and the Congo-Japan Boulevard in Kinshasa, could now strengthen its economic footprint with new investments.

Boaz Kabeya