News (844)
The Democratic Republic of Congo is moving to tighten oversight of Chinese investment in its mining sector. On March 26, Congolese Mining Minister Louis Watum Kabamba and his Chinese counterpart, Guan Zhi'ou, signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in geology and mineral resources in Beijing.
Kinshasa described the agreement as a “structured framework for cooperation” based on ongoing consultation, adherence to Congolese law, investment protection and in-country processing of natural resources.
The move signals a policy shift. Long dominated by largely unconstrained Chinese investment, Congo’s mining sector is now moving toward tighter regulation. The aim is to capture greater domestic value and secure higher economic returns as global demand for critical minerals, including cobalt, copper and lithium, continues to rise.
Between 2000 and 2022, China committed $23.7 billion in loans and grants to the DRC, according to U.S.-based research center AidData, making it the second-largest African recipient of Chinese financing. Loans accounted for 98% of the total. AidData also notes that the DRC is China’s largest bilateral development partner on the continent, well ahead of most traditional donors.
ESG risks
Kinshasa, however, is no longer willing to engage without safeguards. The Sicomines project served as a turning point. The venture, involving Chinese firms including China Railway, Sinohydro and Zhejiang Huayou, was designed to finance infrastructure through mining revenues. A 2023 audit by the Inspectorate General of Finance found that only about one-third of the $4.5 billion allocated to infrastructure had been disbursed, prompting a renegotiation of the agreement originally signed in 2008.
That process led to a fifth amendment signed in March 2024 under President Félix Tshisekedi. The revised deal is expected to channel nearly $5.5 billion in additional infrastructure spending between 2024 and 2040, provided international copper prices remain above $8,000 per metric ton. Disbursements could rise further if prices reach $12,000 per ton. The amendment also provides for a technical and financial audit covering the contract’s implementation since inception, launched in early March 2026.
Congolese authorities say the memorandum aligns with the strategic direction set during high-level talks in 2023 between Presidents Tshisekedi and Xi Jinping. It was signed, however, after the DRC concluded a separate strategic partnership with the United States focused on critical minerals, the Sakania-Lobito corridor, formalizing the artisanal mining sector and expanding local processing capacity. China is no longer the DRC’s only strategic partner for its resources.
Shortcomings in the previous model have also driven the shift. AidData estimates that 36% of China’s infrastructure portfolio in the DRC carries significant exposure to environmental, social and governance risks. More notably, only 5.5% of Chinese-financed infrastructure projects in the country included strong contractual ESG safeguards between 2000 and 2022, well below global levels.
Pierre Mukoko & Ronsard Luabeya
The Congolese subsidiary of Australia’s AVZ Minerals has lost one of its exploration permits in Manono territory, Tanganyika province, according to a list of forfeiture decisions published on March 19, 2026 by the Mining Registry (CAMI).
The permit, PR 4029, is held by AVZ Minerals Congo SARLU and covers 79 mining blocks. It was forfeited due to non-payment of annual surface fees.
Under the current mining code, the holder of a forfeited permit has 30 days from notification to file an appeal. AVZ Minerals has not publicly commented on the forfeiture of PR 4029 or indicated whether it plans to appeal.
PR 4029 is part of the Manono Extension Project, which AVZ has been developing around the main Manono lithium deposit. The project includes two exploration permits, PR 4029 and PR 4030, covering a combined area of about 242.25 square kilometres.
According to AVZ, the permits were intended to identify potential extensions of the deposit, particularly toward the southwest and northeast, based on geological indicators suggesting mineralization may extend beyond the known main zone.
The forfeiture comes amid an ongoing dispute over the Manono project. The two extension permits partly surround the area covered by mining permit PE 15775, awarded to Manono Lithium SAS, a joint venture between China’s Zijin Mining and state-owned Cominière.
AVZ continues to challenge, in proceedings before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the loss of its rights over former permit PR 13359, which was later converted into mining permit PE 15775.
Despite the dispute, development of the Manono project by Zijin and Cominière is continuing. The partners are targeting commissioning by end-June 2026, with construction of mining and processing infrastructure ongoing. Investment in this first phase is approaching $1 billion.
Timothée Manoke
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s finance ministry has awarded Rothschild & Co a services contract to support the country’s planned entry into international capital markets and help mobilize new financing.
Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba signed the contract award on March 24, 2026. The agreement runs for 12 months, with a quarterly fee of €500,000, excluding VAT, for a total of €2 million over the full period.
The contract was awarded through a negotiated procedure. According to the award decision, authorities filed a request for special authorization on Oct. 13, 2025. On Nov. 10, the Directorate General for Public Procurement Control (DGCMP) approved the use of this procedure and issued a no-objection clearance on the negotiation records and draft contract. A request for contract approval was then submitted to Prime Minister Judith Suminwa in December 2025.
The agreement is part of preparations for Congo’s first international bond issuance, aimed at raising $750 million. The award decision does not specify Rothschild & Co’s exact mandate. In January 2026, Bloomberg reported that Citigroup would lead the transaction with support from Rawbank, while Rothschild & Co would act as financial adviser and White & Case LLP as legal counsel.
According to Africa Business+, Rothschild was among advisers involved in Côte d’Ivoire’s eurobond issuance in March 2025. The Ivorian government raised $1.75 billion at a rate of 6.45% for an 11-year tenor, with orders reaching $5.2 billion.
Congolese authorities aim to complete the transaction before the end of the first half of 2026, although the timeline remains uncertain. In a report published in January 2026, the International Monetary Fund said a bond issuance before mid-2026 was unlikely, citing outstanding technical work, pending investor engagement and the need for prior parliamentary approval.
With this contract, the government is taking a further step toward entering international capital markets, though the timing and final terms of the transaction have yet to be finalized.
Timothée Manoke
An emergency operation is underway in Kikwit, Kwilu province, after erosion severed the Wazabanga road linking National Road No. 1 (RN1) to the city centre, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works said.
Torrential rains overnight March 24-25, 2026, triggered the damage, the ministry said, adding that the downpours also caused loss of life and extensive damage.
At the president’s request, Infrastructure and Public Works Minister John Banza Lunda travelled to Kikwit on March 25 to assess the situation. He inspected the erosion site in the Nzinda commune before holding an emergency meeting with ministry technical teams.
Following the assessment, authorities decided to begin urgent repair work to stabilise the damaged road, protect infrastructure belonging to the national electricity company (SNEL), and restore access for residents.
Local sources said the affected stretch is a key route for urban traffic and helps ease congestion on RN1. Its disruption is affecting travel and supplies to the city.
The collapse comes amid worsening erosion in Kikwit. In February 2026, the mayor of Nzinda had already warned about a growing ravine in the area, which destroyed several homes and left families in vulnerable conditions, according to the Congolese Press Agency (ACP).
The mayor had also warned that advancing erosion could sever the Wazabanga road.
Boaz Kabeya
Congolese authorities have declared a radiological emergency at the T17 waste rock zone in Kolwezi, Lualaba province, after radioactive materials were discovered at a site where artisanal miners were operating.
In a statement released on March 23, 2026, Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Sombo Ayanne Safi Mukuna Marie-Thérèse, acting as the country’s nuclear regulator, warned of a major risk to public health, national security and the environment.
According to multiple media reports, the decision followed uncontrolled artisanal mining activities that exposed radioactive substances, potentially affecting nearby populations and ecosystems. Authorities said the measure aims to contain contamination, secure the site and protect exposed communities.
The government announced the deployment of specialized teams on site, along with experts tasked with assessing risk levels and implementing decontamination, protection and monitoring systems. It stressed the need for a rapid and coordinated response to prevent the situation from deteriorating.
Health risks well documented
Exposure to radioactive materials poses well-documented health risks. Ionizing radiation can penetrate biological tissues, damage DNA and lead to severe health effects, including cellular damage and long-term diseases. Exposure may occur through inhalation of contaminated particles, ingestion or prolonged contact—scenarios common in artisanal mining environments.
The emergency declaration aligns with international risk management standards, particularly those promoted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which emphasize preparedness, detection and rapid response to radiological incidents.
Authorities said they would mobilize the necessary resources, ensure transparency and coordinate response efforts. They also urged the public to strictly follow safety instructions, warning that even localized radioactive contamination can pose serious risks if left uncontrolled.
Boaz Kabeya
In addition to producing 500,000 metric tons per year of 99.7% pure copper anodes, Kamoa Copper’s smelter can generate 700,000 metric tons of sulfuric acid annually, a byproduct that is gaining value in the Congolese Copperbelt amid conflict in the Middle East.
Sulfuric acid is a key input in the leaching process used to extract copper from oxide ores. A significant share of Congolese output, estimated at 3.5 million metric tons in 2025, relies on such deposits, particularly in Lualaba and Haut-Katanga provinces. The availability of this input directly affects production volumes and operating costs.
So far, most of the sulfuric acid used in the region has been produced from imported sulfur. According to Robert Friedland, executive co-chairman of Ivanhoe Mines, which holds a 39.6% stake in Kamoa Copper, up to 80% of the sulfur imported into the Copperbelt passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a corridor now disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East.
“Over the past week, we have begun to observe an increase in the price of acid in the Congolese Copperbelt due to the lack of sulfur exported from the Middle East via the Strait of Hormuz. If supply remains constrained, prices should continue to rise,” Friedland said in a March 23 post on X.
This makes the Kamoa Copper smelter more important. Unlike most operators, the project processes sulfide ore, which does not require sulfuric acid. The refining process also produces it as a byproduct. This allows Kamoa to avoid the constraint and become a key supplier to the rest of the sector.
Additional revenue
According to Friedland, the smelter currently produces 1,600 metric tons per day of high-concentration sulfuric acid, sold for between $470 and $500 per metric ton to mining operations in the Congolese Copperbelt. He described the price as competitive, noting that even before the outbreak of the war in the Middle East, sulfur prices had risen sharply in recent months due to global supply constraints, reaching between $500 and $600 per metric ton in January depending on the region.
The situation is also boosting the project’s profitability. At current price levels, sulfuric acid sales could generate more than $300 million in annual revenue. This additional stream complements copper production, which is expected to reach between 370,000 and 420,000 metric tons in 2026. The smelter also allows Kamoa Copper to nearly halve its logistics costs by exporting copper anodes rather than concentrate, according to company executives.
By contrast, most other operators in the Copperbelt are directly affected by the shock due to their reliance on sulfuric acid. Higher input costs are weighing on margins and widening competitive gaps within the sector.
More broadly, this highlights a structural issue for the Democratic Republic of Congo: securing the industrial inputs needed to develop its mining resources. As the country strengthens its position as a major global producer of copper and cobalt, control over these inputs is becoming critical to its resilience.
Pierre Mukoko
China Minmetals Corporation (CMC), the indirect majority shareholder of MMG, is seeking to acquire new mining permits in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after a March 24, 2026 meeting in Beijing with Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba.
Discussions focused on expanding the group’s operations in the country, the ministry said. China Minmetals also expressed interest in technical collaboration with the National Geological Service to accelerate the identification of new deposits.
During the meeting, the minister outlined the DRC’s strategic priorities, emphasizing geological research, local processing of mineral resources, job creation, and greater Congolese participation in the mining value chain.
The ministry said the meeting supports a model based on productive investment, local value addition, and the sustainable development of the mining sector.
Kinsevere central to CMC’s operations
In the DRC, the group’s main asset is the Kinsevere mine, operated by MMG, located about 30 km north of Lubumbashi in Haut-Katanga. Historically focused on copper production, the site has been expanded to include copper sulfide and cobalt processing.
Approved in March 2022, the project aimed for total investment of $550 million to $600 million, with a target annual output of 80,000 tonnes of copper cathode and 4,000 to 6,000 tonnes of cobalt at full capacity. As part of the project, $300 million in financing was secured in December 2023 from Top Create Resources Limited, an entity linked to CMC.
After mechanical completion of the expansion in September 2024, MMG targeted production of 63,000 to 69,000 tonnes of copper cathode at Kinsevere in 2025. The target was not met. According to MMG, the mine produced 52,791 tonnes of copper in 2025, an 18% increase year-on-year. This increase reflects the gradual ramp-up of the expansion.
Ronsard Luabeya
Congolese company Benesha plans to build a factory in the Democratic Republic of Congo to manufacture disposable medical devices, according to a March 23 statement from the Agency for Special Economic Zones (AZES).
Benesha, which distributes medical consumables, has signed an occupancy agreement with AZES for a plot within a special economic zone (SEZ). The statement did not specify which zone is concerned.
Benesha Chief Executive Farah Kokobile said the project aims to reduce the country's dependence on imports amid sustained demand. “Our objective within the economic zone is to locally produce devices that we regularly import, in order to reduce reliance on external supplies,” she said.
She added that demand is particularly strong, with monthly consumption estimated at more than 10 million syringes in Kinshasa alone, a figure largely met through imports.
The Congolese market for disposable medical consumables also offers strong growth prospects. According to the Congo Medical Consumables Market study published in 2023, the segment is expected to grow at an average annual rate of more than 11% between 2025 and 2031, peaking at 12.27% in 2026 before gradually slowing to 10.24% by the end of the period.
According to AZES, Benesha’s project includes the manufacture of syringes and infusion equipment. The agency added that the initiative is expected to create around 200 jobs by 2030 and described it as strategic, saying it could help strengthen the country’s health security by providing a local alternative to imported medical consumables.
Local production of disposable medical devices in the DRC remains limited despite rising demand from health facilities. To date, only a handful of companies, such as LabPro Pharma RDC, manufacture certain consumables, while others, including Afrimed RDC and Essor Equipements, focus on distributing imported products.
In January 2021, African Medical Solutions (AMS) announced plans to build a factory in Kinshasa. No further public updates on the project have been released since.
Ronsard Luabeya
Donors pledged more than $200 million to fund the Democratic Republic of Congo’s second general population and housing census (RGPH2) at a roundtable in Kinshasa on March 23, the presidency said.
World Bank country director Albert Zeufack said the institution is considering providing $100 million, with most of it allocated to the census. “Subject to board approval and the government meeting the conditions required to launch the project, the World Bank plans a $100 million programme, including $75 million for the census,” he said. The remaining funds would go toward strengthening the national statistical system, including institutions, staff training and data systems at both national and provincial levels.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is considering contributing $80 million, divided between $50 million for census operations and $30 million for institutional capacity-building. This component will support the National Statistics Institute (INS) and other agencies involved in planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation. The aim is to ensure the census is carried out efficiently, transparently and sustainably. The proposal is still under review and is expected to be submitted to the AfDB board before the end of the year.
U.N. agencies will support the census in three ways. The U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA) and UNICEF have committed $3 million to launch initial activities. Several agencies will also provide technical, logistical and communications support, including coordination with the agricultural census. UNFPA will lead the effort and manage the funds through a basket fund in coordination with the authorities and partners.
What’s at stake
Côte d’Ivoire also pledged in-kind support, including technical assistance and equipment. This includes sharing experience in logistics, administration and financial management, as well as training Congolese technical and cartographic teams. The country also plans to provide 3,000 tablets and related equipment for mapping operations. Cooperation is already underway following a Congolese technical mission to Abidjan from March 9 to 13. A visit led by Planning Minister Guylain Nyembo is scheduled from March 30 to April 5 and is expected to lead to the signing of a framework agreement.
The roundtable comes as the DRC steps up preparations for the census, 42 years after the last one in 1984. Since then, the population has grown from about 30 million to nearly 112.8 million, according to the authorities, highlighting the need for updated data to guide public policy.
In his opening address, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi stressed the stakes, warning that “continuing to plan without complete, reliable and up-to-date demographic data would amount to governing without visibility and weaken the state’s ability to respond to people’s needs.” He said the census would allow the government to base decisions on reliable data. The state has already contributed $30 million to the basket fund managed by UNFPA.
At a cabinet meeting on January 30, the government described the roundtable as a strategic effort to secure funding for the project, whose total cost is estimated at $192 million. It said financing the project within current budget constraints was difficult, justifying the use of a basket fund to pool contributions from partners. The pledges announced exceed the estimated cost, potentially covering all identified needs. The next step is to turn commitments into action, as UNFPA Acting Executive Director Diene Keita said.
Boaz Kabeya
The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially commissioned the Kakobola hydropower plant in Gungu territory, Kwilu province. The facility was inaugurated on March 23, 2026, by Water Resources and Electricity Minister Aimé Sakombi Molendo, the ministry said.
With an installed capacity of 10.5 MW, the run-of-river plant marks a step toward reviving electrification in the region.
The project includes not only the generating unit but also transmission lines, substations and distribution networks to supply Kikwit, Gungu and Idiofa, as well as several rural areas in Kwilu. Earlier reports also mentioned the Catholic missions of Totshi and Aten, along with the village of Butshamba, among the areas to be connected.
The commissioning is expected to ease chronic electricity shortages that have long constrained economic activity in the region. The ministry said the plant could supply power to more than 400,000 people, with potential benefits for small and medium-sized businesses, local trade, and essential services such as health and education. Authorities describe the project as a driver of the provincial economy.
The launch follows repeated delays. At the Makutano Forum on Nov. 26, 2025, Sakombi Molendo said the plant would enter service within 45 to 47 days, which would have put commissioning around January 2026, adding that technical, financial and legal hurdles had been resolved. The government had also authorized a direct procurement procedure to speed up the selection of an operator. No operator has yet been named.
More than a decade after the project began, Kakobola now serves as a test of the country’s energy policy. Its impact will depend on the reliability of production, the expansion of connections and its ability to turn new electricity supply into sustained economic activity in Kwilu.
Boaz Kabeya
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Long queues formed at gas stations across several districts of Kinshasa on March 23, 2026, as persistent rumors of an imminent fuel shortage prompted drivers to rush to distribution points and stock up as a precaution.
The surge in panic buying put pressure on stations, sharply increasing demand. According to accounts collected on the ground, some stations experienced temporary stockouts.
Congestion at fuel stations also spilled over into traffic. On the morning of Tuesday, March 24, large crowds at the BAT station on Avenue Poids-Lourds in Kingabwa, in the commune of Limete, worsened gridlock already typical at that hour.
Congolese authorities have nonetheless sought to reassure the public about near-term fuel availability following the outbreak of the security crisis in the Middle East. Hydrocarbons Minister Acacia Bandubola reiterated those assurances after visiting SEP Congo facilities on March 23. “I want to reassure the population that there is no fuel shortage in Kinshasa or elsewhere in the country. Stock coverage is assured, according to data provided by SEP Congo,” she said.
Series of measures
In a joint communiqué published on March 23, the ministries of National Economy and Hydrocarbons announced a series of measures aimed at securing supply. These include reducing certain costs related to the import and transport of petroleum products, as well as strengthening the advance payment mechanism for companies in the sector to support cash flow and ensure continuity of imports. The authorities also plan to speed up customs clearance procedures to improve product availability on the market.
The measures follow decisions taken at the 82nd Council of Ministers meeting on March 13, 2026, where the government stated that available stocks could meet the country’s needs through June. Several shipments of petroleum products are also expected in the coming weeks to bolster inventory levels.
According to a March 9 statement, the Ministry of Hydrocarbons had already begun preparations to build a strategic stockpile of at least 50,000 metric tons of fuel, including both ground and aviation fuels. The initiative aims to secure national supply amid disruptions to international energy markets linked to security tensions in the Middle East.
Ronsard Luabeya
Two new projects aimed at strengthening trade and boosting youth employment prospects along the Lobito Corridor were launched on March 17, 2026, in Kolwezi, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Funded by the European Union, the initiatives have a combined budget of 11 million euros. They are part of broader efforts to develop a strategic logistics route serving regional mining exports.
The first project, allocated 6 million euros, is designed to improve the flow of trade along the Lobito Corridor. It includes simplifying customs procedures, building institutional capacity and improving coordination among the authorities involved in goods transit. The program is being implemented with support from TradeMark Africa, an organization specializing in trade facilitation across the continent.
Youth Employment and Digital Skills
The second project, funded at 5 million euros, aims to improve youth employment prospects by developing digital skills. It includes training sessions, bootcamps and support programs designed to ease entry into a changing job market. This component is being implemented in partnership with technical partners, including German development cooperation.
The two projects are part of a coordinated European Union approach to strengthen value chains linked to critical minerals while supporting local economic development.
The Lobito Corridor connects the mining zones of southeastern DRC to port infrastructure in Angola and serves as a key route for copper and cobalt exports. Its development is seen as a strategic lever to improve the competitiveness of Congolese exports and promote regional integration.
Through these initiatives, the European Union aims to combine support for trade infrastructure with investment in human capital, as part of its Global Gateway strategy in Africa.
PM
President Felix Tshisekedi has called for the creation of a “reliable, sustainable and transparent” mechanism to ensure regular funding for Congolese diplomats and the country’s missions abroad.
The directive was issued at the 83rd Cabinet meeting held on March 20, 2026, at the African Union City in Kinshasa. According to the official minutes, the president highlighted the strategic role of diplomats in defending national interests, promoting the country’s image, advancing international cooperation, attracting investment and protecting Congolese citizens abroad.
To advance the plan, Tshisekedi tasked the deputy prime ministers in charge of the budget and civil service, along with the ministers of foreign affairs, finance, and infrastructure, with accelerating a comprehensive assessment of the operating costs of all diplomatic missions and staff abroad. The review will cover salaries, rent, operating expenses and outstanding obligations to suppliers.
Based on this assessment, the ministers must propose a structured and secure mechanism, potentially involving commercial banks. The aim is to ensure the direct and regular payment of salaries for diplomatic and administrative staff, as well as rent for embassy offices and residences, operating costs, and payments to suppliers and service providers.
Persistent financial pressures
The mechanism is expected to ensure predictable payments, traceable financial flows and compliance with public finance rules. Tshisekedi said the initiative also seeks to restore the dignity of Congolese representations abroad and strengthen the country’s international image.
The directive comes as several Congolese diplomatic missions continue to face financial difficulties. According to AfricaNews, as of Feb. 17, 2026, salary arrears for December 2025 and January and February 2026 remained unpaid, while several rent payments were still frozen. The outlet also reported blockages in payment channels despite some administrative approvals, as well as checks linked to irregularities in certain lease contracts.
AfricaNews also reported that a technical arrangement introduced in 2024 by the ministries of budget, finance and foreign affairs to cover rental payments has faced resistance from landlords, partly due to payment terms and related tax implications.
Against this backdrop, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Noella Ayeganagato proposed a working session to clarify procedures and required documentation for processing payments, including invoices and bank details.
With the new directive, the government aims to move away from ad hoc and often chaotic management toward a more stable, transparent and secure system. Beyond administration, the issue affects the country’s international credibility and its ability to maintain the normal functioning of its diplomatic network.
Boaz Kabeya
Congolese authorities are preparing a new turnaround plan for Congo Airways SA, including a sweeping overhaul of the state carrier’s governance, according to official minutes from the Council of Ministers’ March 20 meeting.
At that session, President Félix Tshisekedi reviewed findings from a joint investigative mission conducted in December 2025 by the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF), the Superior Portfolio Council (CSP) and the Civil Aviation Authority (AAC). The mission examined complaints raised by a group of employees and assessed compliance, financial management and operational performance at Congo Airways.
Despite a government-backed emergency plan launched in September 2023, the airline continues to face serious operational failures that undermine any sustainable recovery, the minutes said. The situation exposes the state, as shareholder, to significant legal, financial and reputational risks.
The Council also warned that without tighter planning and stronger governance, the continued deterioration could jeopardize the fleet renewal process, particularly aircraft recently acquired by the National Social Security Fund (CNSS). Tshisekedi called for full transparency on how those aircraft were acquired, financed and capitalised within the company.
An updated plan
In response, the president instructed the deputy prime minister in charge of transport, the finance minister and the portfolio minister, under the prime minister’s supervision, to develop a revised recovery plan that is realistic and financially sound. The plan must include clear internal control mechanisms, stronger regulatory compliance, a full audit of human resources management and regular reporting to the state shareholder.
Those measures are expected to underpin a comprehensive overhaul of Congo Airways’ governance, with the aim of restoring management discipline, strengthening accountability, improving transparency in decision-making and aligning practices with international governance standards.
The reform should also establish a more effective management model based on performance, financial sustainability and operational efficiency, ensuring the airline’s long-term viability, competitiveness in the air transport market and protection of the state’s strategic interests. The minutes added that the government is expected to clear outstanding payments owed to Congo Airways so the airline can mobilize the resources needed for its recovery.
The company has already taken initial operational steps. In January 2026, Congo Airways launched a recruitment drive for nine captains, nine co-pilots and four maintenance technicians, following delivery of the first of three aircraft acquired by the CNSS.
While these steps indicate that recovery efforts are underway, the Council of Ministers’ conclusions make clear that any lasting turnaround will require a deeper overhaul of the airline’s governance, finances and operations.
Boaz Kabeya