News (571)
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DRC Council of Ministers approves collaboration agreement for $8 billion Sino-Congolese Industrial City featuring 1,200 factories across 5,000 hectares
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Industrial city forms part of massive $50 billion new city project on 43,000-hectare site in Maluku commune east of Kinshasa
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Project targets 30,000 immediate jobs and 100,000 over 10 years
The Democratic Republic of Congo has cleared a major hurdle for its ambitious industrial development plans, with the Council of Ministers approving a collaboration agreement for the Sino-Congolese Industrial City on September 12, 2025. The Strategic Committee overseeing the broader Kinshasa extension project called the decision "momentous," paving the way for an official project launch within days.
The industrial city is part of a $50 billion initiative to build a new urban center on 43,000 hectares in Maluku commune, east of Kinshasa. The industrial zone will feature eight parks housing 1,200 factories across 5,000 hectares, plus a 2,000-hectare commercial district and 500-hectare workers' quarter, with total investment estimated at $8 billion according to Belgian newspaper L'Echo.
The 7,500-hectare site enjoys strategic access to the Congo River and the capital's main transportation arteries. Designated as a Special Economic Zone, it will offer tax and customs incentives to attract foreign and domestic investors focusing on agro-industry, manufacturing, and other production activities.
The agreement approval comes after significant delays. Construction was originally scheduled to begin in early 2025, but negotiations proved complex. A first version submitted to the Council of Ministers on July 18 was rejected, forcing revisions.
Details of the final agreement remain confidential, though it binds the DRC to Sino-Congo Special Economic Development Zone Sarl, the project company established by a Chinese consortium led by China State Construction Engineering. The implementation roadmap was also presented to ministers, but not made public.
Under previous timelines, development would proceed gradually from 2025-2026 with land preparation and basic infrastructure, followed by the first industrial units coming online from 2027, building to full capacity by 2030.
The project promises immediate creation of 30,000 direct jobs and over 100,000 positions within a decade. For the Congolese government, the industrial city represents a crucial diversification tool as minerals still account for over 90% of national exports. Officials hope the zone will develop sectors that add local value and broaden the tax base beyond resource extraction.
Pierre Mukoko
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ECCAS gives DRC and Equatorial Guinea a second chance after candidates were rejected for late file submissions to the regional commission
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Burundian Ézéchiel Nibigira appointed Commission President with a 45-day mandate to finalize the selection process for the remaining six posts
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Only 52 of 133 applications were accepted for the seven-member commission, with fierce competition from countries excluded from the previous mandate
The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) has granted the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) a reprieve after its candidates for the regional commission were initially rejected for submitting applications late. Meeting in extraordinary session on September 7, 2025, ECCAS heads of state decided to allow both DRC and Equatorial Guinea candidates back into the selection process.
The candidates had been rejected by Forvis Mazars, the firm handling pre-selection for the ECCAS Commission, but will now have their applications reviewed. Burundian Ézéchiel Nibigira, appointed as the new Commission President at the summit, has 45 days to complete the selection process with Forvis Mazars' support.
The ECCAS Commission includes seven positions: President, Vice-President, and commissioners for Political Affairs/Peace/Security, Common Market/Economic/Monetary/Financial Affairs, Environment/Natural Resources/Agriculture/Rural Development, Spatial Planning/Infrastructure, and Gender/Human/Social Development.
Under treaty rules, each member state can hold only one post, with countries absent from the outgoing team getting priority. The DRC, previously represented by Yvette Ngandu Kapinga as Gender Commissioner, faces stiff competition to retain its seat. The Central African Republic, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Burundi were excluded from the previous mandate and are determined to secure positions this time.
Competition will be intense, with only 52 of 133 applications from member states accepted so far. The limited number of available seats makes selection particularly challenging. The new leadership team's investiture is scheduled for the November-December heads of state summit.
For the DRC, the second chance represents an opportunity to maintain its influence within the regional bloc, though it will need exceptionally strong candidates to succeed in the competitive environment.
Ronsard Luabeya
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Ivorian SCHIBA Group expresses interest in road and energy infrastructure projects in DRC amid the country's infrastructure deficit
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Group highlights 1,200+ kilometers of road construction experience in Côte d'Ivoire during meeting with DRC Infrastructure Minister
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Multi-sector company operates through subsidiaries, including Schiba Énergies & Services for electrification and ETS MSSZ for road construction
The Ivorian SCHIBA Group is eyeing major infrastructure opportunities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on roads and energy projects where the country desperately needs investment. Company Chairman and CEO Soro Nidjabedjan led a delegation that met Infrastructure and Public Works Minister John Banza Lunda on September 15, 2025.
Few details have emerged from the discussions, but SCHIBA emphasized its impressive credentials in Côte d'Ivoire, where it has built more than 1,200 kilometers of roads. The company positioned this experience as proof that it can tackle the DRC's massive infrastructure challenges.
SCHIBA has grown into a diversified conglomerate spanning construction, distribution, finance, insurance, and energy sectors. Its subsidiary Schiba Énergies & Services, launched in 2022, handles rural electrification, commercial electrical work, renewable energy projects, security systems, and fire safety. Another arm, ETS MSSZ, builds roads, highways, and water infrastructure. Founded in 2008, ETS MSSZ was the group's first venture.
BK
- Rawbank selected as one of ten banks to manage grants for World Bank-funded women entrepreneur program in DRC
- Partnership will facilitate $70 million in subsidies to 3,850 businesses, with 60% of SMEs targeting women-led companies
- Bank leverages Lady's First program supporting 2,000+ women entrepreneurs and 46% growth in SME lending to $225 million
The Democratic Republic of Congo's largest bank has secured a key role in the World Bank's ambitious women entrepreneur empowerment program, positioning itself to manage millions in grants while expanding its small business customer base.
Rawbank signed a partnership agreement on September 12 with the Transforme project to manage grants awarded through its business plan competition (Copa), becoming the first of 10 selected financial institutions to formalize the arrangement. The remaining banks, unnamed, are expected to sign similar deals in the coming days.
Strategic Grant Management Role
Under the agreement, Transforme will deposit grant funds with Rawbank based on how many Copa winners choose the institution to house their awards. The bank will open dedicated accounts or sub-accounts for recipients and provide tailored support, including relaxed conditions for accessing additional financial services like invoice discounting and leasing.
Rawbank will also leverage its expertise and network to facilitate credit access and build entrepreneurial capacity specifically for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly women-led businesses.
Building on Proven Track Record
The partnership builds on Rawbank's established SME support infrastructure. Through its Lady's First program, the bank already supports over 2,000 women entrepreneurs, while its SME loan portfolio surged 46% to $225 million in 2024 via the 20,000 SMEs program implemented with the Financial Inclusion Fund.
"This partnership represents a unique opportunity to catalyze the entrepreneurial energy of Congolese women and build a more resilient, modern, and equitable economic fabric," said Rawbank Deputy General Manager Christian Kamanzi.
Massive Scale Across 13 Provinces
Transforme aims to subsidize 3,850 businesses across the DRC, including 800 SMEs with 60% targeting women-led companies. The program has already selected 1,154 companies for nearly $70 million in total subsidies, with selections continuing.
Launched in June 2022 with a $295 million budget split between loans and grants, Transforme operates across 13 provinces through September 2027. The initiative offers financial aid, improves financing access, and enhances working conditions through dedicated business centers.
For Rawbank, the partnership offers customer base expansion and stronger MSME relationships with reduced risk exposure, while advancing the DRC's broader economic transformation goals centered on women entrepreneurship.
Pierre Mukoko and Ronsard Luabeya
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Kinshasa food prices drop significantly due to abundant harvests, with tomatoes falling 47% and eggplants down 30%
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Imported products also decline as regular shipments boost supply, with European onions dropping 36%
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Grain maize bucks trend with 38% price increase, rising from 210,000 to 290,000 Congolese francs per 100kg bag
Food prices across Kinshasa have dropped dramatically over recent days as abundant seasonal harvests and steady imports flood the capital's markets, offering relief to consumers facing persistent inflation pressures.
The most striking decline hit tomatoes from Kimpese, which plummeted 47% from 190,000 Congolese francs per case to 100,500 francs. Eggplants from Boma in Central Kongo region fell 30%, selling for 125,500 francs compared to the previous 180,000 francs per bag.
Seasonal harvests are powering widespread reductions across fresh produce categories. Celery bundles dropped 13% to 30,500 francs, while avocados from Mbanza-Ngungu decreased 18% from 110,000 to 90,000 francs per case between August 12 and September 12, according to Agence congolaise de presse (ACP). Even cucumbers saw modest declines, falling 8% to 230,500 francs per bag.
The price drops reflect the cyclical nature of agricultural markets, where harvest seasons typically create temporary supply surges that benefit urban consumers who often struggle with food affordability.
Imports Add to Supply Pressure
International shipments have amplified the downward pressure on prices. European onion fillets crashed 36% from 180,000 to 115,500 francs, while imported garlic dropped 24% to 60,500 francs per 20-kilogram package. These declines suggest improved import flows are complementing domestic production to ease market tensions.
Maize Bucks the Trend
Grain maize stands as a notable exception to the broader decline, surging 38% from 210,000 to 290,000 francs per 100-kilogram bag between August 25 and September 11. No explanation was provided for this increase, which contrasts sharply with the general market trend.
Market sellers quoted by AgriMedia expect continued price declines as long as supply remains robust from both local harvests and regular import arrivals.
Timothée Manoke
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Chinese company Longjing Environmental Protection invests $399 million in a 140 MW hydroelectric plant in DRC's Haut-Lomami province
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Zijin Mining applies for a concession to develop the 108 MW Mpiana-Mwanga hydroelectric station to power the world-class Manono lithium project
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Combined projects will supply mining operations while providing electricity to local communities across multiple provinces
According to several trading platforms, Chinese environmental technology company Longjing Environmental Protection will invest $399 million in a 140 MW hydroelectric power plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The move highlights Beijing's deepening energy infrastructure push across mineral-rich Central Africa.
The project in Haut-Lomami province represents the latest phase of Chinese industrial expansion in the DRC, where parent company Zijin Mining operates extensive mining concessions and is positioning itself to tap one of the world's largest lithium deposits.
Lualaba River Project Powers Mining Expansion
Longjing's subsidiary Zijin Longjing secured 80% control of the hydroelectric project through its Hong Kong arm, which acquired rights-holding company GML. Located on the Lualaba River, approximately 200 kilometers from Kolwezi—home to several Zijin Mining concessions—the facility will generate an estimated 714 million kilowatt-hours annually.
Construction is scheduled to take three and a half years, with 90% of electricity earmarked for Zijin's mining sites and 10% allocated to local communities. The project aligns with Longjing's strategy of combining environmental protection with renewable energy development while supporting broader group expansion.
Lithium Ambitions Drive Second Major Project
Simultaneously, Zijin Mining has applied for concession rights to develop the 108 MW Mpiana-Mwanga hydroelectric station on the Luvua River in Tanganyika province. This facility, located over 90 kilometers northeast of Manono, will primarily power the massive Manono lithium project—considered among the world's largest high-grade lithium deposits.
The application, submitted through the Katamba Mining joint venture with Congolese state company Cominière, signals Zijin's commitment to securing reliable power for lithium extraction operations critical to global battery supply chains.
Vice President James Wang indicated the Mpiana-Mwanga station will also serve local communities, including Manono town and territory, Kanuka village, Malemba Nkulu territory, and Manono airfield—demonstrating efforts to balance industrial needs with community development.
Strategic Energy Infrastructure Play
The dual hydroelectric investments reflect a broader Chinese strategy in the DRC: securing energy infrastructure to support mineral extraction while positioning for long-term industrial presence. Zijin Mining's 29.25% stake in Longjing's parent company, Fujian Longking, underscores the integrated approach linking mining operations with power generation.
For the DRC, these projects promise much needed electricity infrastructure while raising questions about resource control and community benefits as Chinese industrial presence expands across the country's mineral-rich provinces.
Timothée Manoke
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
• 12-year dormancy ends as $7.5M Chinese-funded polystyrene panel factory in Kisangani prepares restart with new equipment
• Four-factory network planned nationwide to tackle housing crisis and build schools, health centers, security facilities
• Localization drive targets import reduction through domestic prefabricated materials industry for social infrastructure
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is preparing to restart domestic production of polystyrene panels for prefabricated housing after a 12-year dormancy. Infrastructure Minister John Banza Lunda recently announced this while visiting a prefabricated panels factory in Kisangani.
The $7.5 million factory, installed in 2013 through the Sino-Congolese Sicomines program and managed by the Congolese Agency for Major Works (ACGT), has been inactive since its construction. However, plant manager Patrick Muyeye confirmed that containers of additional equipment to boost production capacity have arrived in Kinshasa and await shipment to Kisangani for the facility's effective startup.
Already, 16 Congolese technicians have been trained to operate the plant as part of preparations for the relaunch. According to the Infrastructure Ministry, the Kisangani facility represents just the beginning of a broader national strategy—four similar factories will be established across the country to address the housing shortage while supporting construction of schools, health centers, and training facilities for police and military forces.
The initiative reflects the DRC's push to reduce import dependence and develop a domestic prefabricated materials industry serving both social and security sectors. Plans are also underway to establish a manufacturing plant for inputs currently imported, further localizing the production chain.
Timothée Manoke
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Dangerous quality defects in UAE cement show 0.5 MPa strength versus 10 MPa requirement, risking infrastructure collapse
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International standards failed across chemical composition, grain size, and mechanical strength benchmarks
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Import oversight gap highlighted amid Congo's 260,000-tonne cement shortage requiring authorized foreign supplies
Laboratory analyses have revealed serious quality defects in cement imported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and sold in the port city of Matadi, raising urgent safety concerns about potential infrastructure risks, according to a construction industry publication.
The Expobéton Newsletter, a specialized platform founded by PPC Barnet DRC cement manufacturer Jean Bamanisa, reported September 7 that the imported cement fails to meet critical international standards, including European norms EN 197-1 for chemical composition and EN 196-1 for mechanical strength requirements.
The analysis results paint a troubling picture: grain size exceeds acceptable thresholds, leading to poor material hydration, while compressive strength after two days measured just 0.5 MPa—far below the required 10 MPa standard for type 32.5 R cement. Chemical composition tests revealed excessive magnesium content and a calcium oxide/silicon dioxide ratio below the benchmark value of 2, compromising the cement's stability and reactivity.
According to Expobéton, using such substandard material exposes infrastructure to severe risks, including early cracking and potential structural collapse, endangering lives and causing significant financial losses. The publication has called for immediate intervention by the Congolese Control Office (OCC) to verify and regulate the cement's marketing.
The quality concerns emerge against a backdrop of Congo's cement supply challenges. Central Bank data shows national production reached 2.298 million tonnes in 2023, falling short of estimated consumption at 2.559 million tonnes—a deficit exceeding 260,000 tonnes that requires authorized imports to fill the gap.
While Congo maintains strict import regulations to support domestic cement production, exemptions are granted to address shortfalls, creating potential oversight gaps in quality control systems.
The incident highlights broader challenges facing Congo's construction sector as it balances supply needs with quality assurance in a market heavily dependent on both local production and strategic imports.
Timothée Manoke
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Worker crisis escalates with delayed salaries, reduced benefits, as months-long Chemaf sale uncertainty affects production
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Bidding competition between an American consortium and a blocked Chinese deal over debt-laden mining assets worth $900M
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Union pressure mounts for government intervention, written job guarantees, and a dialogue framework amid financial collapse
In the Democratic Congo Republic (DRC), Workers at financially troubled mining company Chemaf Resources are urging Congolese authorities to accelerate a stalled sale process, warning that mounting uncertainty threatens jobs and social stability across the company's operations.
In a memorandum to the Ministry of Employment obtained by the Congolese Press Agency, the Chemaf union delegation highlighted deteriorating conditions as the sale drags on: delayed salary payments, reduced social benefits, and plummeting production levels at facilities including the flagship Mutoshi mine in Kolwezi.
Employee representatives, who say they have been kept in the dark for months about sale negotiations, expressed fears that aging equipment and declining activity could worsen their plight. The union is demanding direct government intervention to remove administrative obstacles, written guarantees for job protection and social rights, and the establishment of permanent dialogue between authorities, management, and workers.
The company's financial crisis has attracted international attention, with Bloomberg reporting that an American consortium including former Special Forces members is currently negotiating to acquire Chemaf's assets. The group comprises Orion Resource Partners and Virtus Minerals, backed by Trafigura, Chemaf's primary creditor.
The potential deal follows a collapsed agreement from June 2024, when Chemaf had arranged to sell its assets—including a major cobalt development project on a Gécamines permit—to Chinese group Norin Mining. However, the state-owned mining company blocked that transaction with a counteroffer, leaving workers in limbo.
Under the proposed American deal, Orion would provide financing while Virtus assumes operational management of a company struggling with debts estimated at nearly $900 million.
The standoff illustrates broader challenges facing Congo's mining sector, where geopolitical competition over critical minerals intersects with urgent needs for economic stability and worker protection.
Ronsard Luabeya
Kinshasa-Matadi line will restart next week with multiple weekly trains, part of broader transportation revival
Key Highlights:
• Kinshasa–Matadi rail service resumes after a five-year halt, improving goods transport and reducing congestion on National Route n°1.
• Urban commuter links upgraded, with new self-propelled coaches and expansions on the Gare Centrale–N’Djili Airport and Kinshasa–Kasangulu lines.
• Future expansion planned, including a Banana–Boma–Matadi–Kinshasa corridor, while the Arise IIP modernization project remains on hold.
The Democratic Republic of Congo will restore rail service between its capital Kinshasa and the strategic port city of Matadi next week, ending a five-year suspension that forced millions of tons of cargo onto congested roads.
Transport Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba announced the resumption on September 5 at a ceremony led by President Félix Tshisekedi, marking a significant step in the government's efforts to revitalize the country's rail network.
The restored service promises to ease a major logistical bottleneck. Matadi's port handles four million tons of goods annually, and the lack of rail transport has forced virtually all cargo onto National Route No. 1, creating severe congestion along the critical Kinshasa–Central Kongo corridor. Officials expect the rail line to significantly improve cargo flow while reducing road traffic.
The revival extends beyond freight. Urban passenger services will also restart, including a new line connecting Gare Centrale to N'Djili International Airport, currently under construction. Once complete, the airport link will cut travel time to under 30 minutes, offering relief to the capital's chronic traffic problems. The government also plans to relaunch the Gare Centrale–Kitambo Magasin route, while the Kinshasa–Kasangulu connection already operates with two daily trains to meet growing commuter demand.
Infrastructure improvements support the expansion. The state railway operator ONATRA acquired seven new self-propelled passenger coaches in 2023, including four modern units, two intermediate cars, and an air-conditioned VIP carriage. These join an existing fleet of five locomotives, 77 freight wagons, 27 passenger cars, and 42 container wagons. Additional equipment—five locomotives and 40 container wagons—will arrive soon, financed through the Redevance Logistique Terrestre, a fund created to support the revival of the national railway company SNCC.
The government has completed stabilization work on the Kinshasa–Matadi track, though officials have not disclosed the project's cost or financing details.
Looking ahead, authorities are studying a 150-kilometer extension that would connect the deep-water port of Banana to the existing network via Boma. This proposed Banana–Boma–Matadi–Kinshasa corridor would create an unbroken rail connection between the country's main ports, potentially transforming goods transport across the region.
The rail revival comes amid questions about a larger modernization plan. In February 2024, the Council of Ministers approved a $956 million public-private partnership with Indian conglomerate Arise to rehabilitate and operate the line through a joint venture 40% owned by ONATRA and 60% by Arise IIP. The three-phase project has shown no visible progress since the initial announcement, leaving the scope and timeline of broader improvements unclear.
Ronsard Luabeya
More...
Highlights
• Congo’s RVF launches buoyage campaign on three rivers covering over 500 km (310 miles)
• The effort aims to improve navigation safety and boost transport reliability
• Officials stress the need for more resources to sustain operations
DR Congo’s river authority, Régie des voies fluviales (RVF), has begun a buoyage operation across more than 500 km (310 miles) of waterways, aiming to improve navigation and reduce accident risks.
The campaign, launched Sept. 1, covers 13 km (8 miles) on the Kwango, 329 km (204 miles) on the Kwilu up to Kikwit, and 187 km (116 miles) on the Kasaï between Kwamouth and Kandolo, RVF said. It also includes hydrographic and hydrological surveys to enhance traffic flow and support trade along these strategic corridors.
Transport ministry official Abolia Taba Mopolo, who inaugurated the operation, said river infrastructure is vital for mobility, multimodal transport, and economic development.
By February this year, RVF had already secured 1,734 km (1,077 miles) of the Congo River between Kinshasa and Kisangani, after earlier works on 605 km (376 miles) of the Kasaï. But the agency still faces financial and technical limits. At the launch, Kwilu provincial authorities urged greater resources to ensure permanent beaconing of the waterways.
Ronsard Luabeya
Highlights
• Congo’s General Strategic Reserve (RSG) sells corn flour at 35,000 CF per 25kg bag, below market price
• Operation covers four Kinshasa markets, with rollout planned for Kongo Central
• RSG says stock is “large” and could influence market prices
The General Strategic Reserve (RSG), a department of the Congolese presidency, has begun selling corn flour in Kinshasa at 35,000 Congolese francs ($13.20) per 25 kg bag, undercutting current market prices of 40,000 to 63,000 francs.
The operation is taking place at the Gambela, Matete, Bayaka, and Kapela markets, the RSG said in a statement. It will soon extend to Kongo Central province at the same price.
The RSG, which also supports local producers, rolls out such interventions on a seasonal basis to counter price spikes or disruptions caused by crises and natural disasters.
Created by presidential decree, the RSG manages stocks of essential goods to prevent shortages, stabilize prices, and support food security. It said its flour reserves are “large, even unlimited”, and could influence market dynamics in the capital.
Timothée Manoke, intern
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Visa launches Visa Pay app in Kinshasa to boost digital payments and financial inclusion
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Service supports CF and USD transactions, with low-cost bank account options for unbanked users
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Five banks onboard, with more joining soon; DRC chosen as pilot market due to high cash usage
Visa has launched its Visa Pay mobile application in Kinshasa, aiming to expand access to digital financial services in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where cash remains the dominant payment method.
Launched on September 4, the app allows users to transfer money, pay merchants, make deposits and withdrawals, and shop online using virtual cards. Transactions can be made in both Congolese francs (CF) and U.S. dollars (USD).
Sophie Kafuti, General Manager of Visa DRC, said the initiative seeks to reduce costs, improve interoperability, and support financial inclusion. “Today in the DRC, there are several fragmented payment systems. With Visa Pay, payments become secure, fast, and reliable, accessible to students and seniors alike, whether banked or unbanked,” she said.
Accessible, low-cost tool
Designed to consume little mobile data and memory, Visa Pay also allows users without a bank account to open one at low cost with partner banks. “Thanks to agreements with Visa, people can access affordable banking services,” said François Jurd De Girancourt, Visa Vice President for Strategy in Central Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
The rollout begins with five banks — Access Banque, FBN, Sofibanque, Solidaire Banque, and UBA — with BGFIBank, Equity Bank, and TMB expected to join shortly. The app is also available via partner banks’ mobile platforms and can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.
Pilot Phase
Visa chose the DRC as a pilot market due to its high reliance on cash. The country’s financial ecosystem, combining banks and mobile operators, was seen as favorable for building an interoperable solution.
The launch follows Visa’s expansion in the DRC since 2022, including partnerships with Vodacom — which issued 150,000 Visa cards linked to M-Pesa — and a $1 million financial education program with the Financial Inclusion Fund (FPM).
Ronsard Luabeya
- DR Congo restructures Afridex, adding two deputy general manager roles.
- Marcel Mbuyu returns as DGA for technical operations; Serge Bokana named DGA for administration.
- Changes come as Likasi arms complex nears completion with Chinese and Turkish partners.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has restructured Afridex, the state-owned explosives company, creating two deputy general manager posts to oversee technical and administrative functions, according to presidential orders read on national television on Wednesday, September 3.
Marcel Mbuyu Kyungu was appointed Deputy General Manager (DGA) in charge of technical and operational matters, marking his return to Afridex eight months after leaving the company. Serge Bokana, previously the sole deputy, will now serve as DGA for administration and finance. Sikabwe Asinda remains Managing Director.
Afridex, which operates under the Ministry of National Defense, holds a monopoly on the production, import, storage, and distribution of explosives and ammunition across the DRC. Its mandate is to regulate flows and ensure traceability of these products from manufacturing to end use.
Strategic timing
Mbuyu’s comeback coincides with the scheduled completion of the Likasi industrial complex, a facility under construction since May 2024 with Chinese partner Norinco and Turkish arms manufacturer MKE. The project, set to come on stream in September 2025, is designed to strengthen Congo’s arms autonomy and reduce dependence on imports.
A mechanical engineer trained in Dortmund with further qualifications in engineering management from Pretoria and defense strategy in Kinshasa, Mbuyu previously served as Afridex’s deputy from 2018 to January 2025. Before that, he spent over eight years at Rheinmetall Denel Munition in South Africa, a subsidiary of Germany’s Rheinmetall AG, where he managed supply chains and plant operations.
Timothée Manoke, intern