News (383)
U.S. based Hydro-Link is leading a $1.5 billion project to build a 1,150 kilometer electricity transmission line connecting Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company announced the project at the 17th U.S. Africa Business Summit, hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa, currently underway in Luanda, Angola.
While Hydro-Link remains relatively unknown, its Chief Executive Officer, Paul Hinks, has more than four decades of global experience in developing, financing, and operating power infrastructure. To advance the project, the company is partnering with the Swiss-headquartered Mitrelli Group.
In a joint statement released on June 23, the two firms announced they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the first of three agreements considered crucial for bringing the project to fruition. A second MoU with the Angolan government was expected to be signed on June 24. Talks are also ongoing with Congolese authorities, according to the Financial Post.
Strong U.S. Footprint
Mitrelli, which has operated in Angola for decades, will serve as both an investor and a strategic partner. The group will provide "end-to-end expertise, from project development and financing to on-the-ground execution," the statement said.
To cover approximately 70% of the project’s cost, Hydro-Link is seeking funding from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The firm is also seeking support from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency for feasibility studies, and additional backing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank.
This extensive American involvement underpins what Hydro-Link describes as the project’s "strong U.S. footprint." The company plans to source major components from U.S. manufacturers. This is a departure from the industry norm of procuring equipment elsewhere for African infrastructure projects. To that end, it has already signed an MoU with sister company Sargent & Lundy, an energy engineering firm that will serve as owner’s engineer and independent consultant.
Powering the Mining Sector
The line is expected to be operational by 2029, delivering up to 1.2 gigawatts of electricity from Angola’s Lauca hydropower plant and other sources. The energy will supply the Kolwezi mining region in the DRC, targeting companies such as Glencore and Ivanhoe Mines, and potentially new U.S. entrants under a "minerals-for-security" agreement currently under negotiation between Kinshasa and Washington.
Hydro-Link’s initiative marks the third Angola-DRC interconnection project, alongside ventures led by Moroccan group Somagec and a Trafigura-ProMarks consortium. All aim to export Angola’s surplus power to the DRC.
According to the African Development Bank, Angola currently has 1.5 gigawatts of unused clean hydropower capacity, a figure expected to rise to 3.5 gigawatts by 2027. Meanwhile, the DRC’s persistent energy shortages continue to stall the development of key mining projects.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko & Ronsard Luabeya
Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin
The Equity BCDC inter-union has accused the bank of preparing a large-scale, disguised layoff, set to affect nearly 460 employees, which is about 27% of its total workforce at the end of 2023. This accusation appears in a letter dated June 17, 2025, addressed to the Minister of Labor, Ephraim Akwakwa Nametu.
The dispute began after an internal communication on June 6 stated that the parent company, Kenya-based Equity Group Holdings (EGH), suspects these employees of fraud following an internal investigation.
The bank’s management plans to launch a "rigorous and exemplary" disciplinary process, citing a zero-tolerance policy on fraud. However, the unions claim the bank ignored repeated requests for key information—such as the code of conduct, the full list of accused employees, the investigation period, and the alleged fraud amount—before taking action.
Despite receiving no clear answers, the bank reportedly sent explanation requests to the targeted employees starting June 10. In a June 12 letter to Equity BCDC, the inter-union condemned the bank’s "hasty" and "war-like" tactics. This is why the unions are appealing to the Minister of Labor to prevent what they consider to be a purge operation.
Rising Social Tensions
Since January 30, 2025, Equity BCDC and its staff have been in conciliation talks led by the General Labor Inspectorate. This mediation follows the bank’s failure to implement a protocol agreement signed on November 20, 2024, which included retroactive salary alignment from November 1 and the finalization of job classifications.
Unions argue the ongoing disciplinary drive is a maneuver to dodge these social commitments. Equity BCDC’s leadership has not publicly responded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Earlier in June, Equity Group CEO James Mwangi announced a broad internal probe across subsidiaries after losses of roughly 2 billion Kenyan shillings (about $15.4 million) over two years. The losses allegedly stem from internal fraud involving offshore accounts and M-Pesa wallets.
In May 2025, the group notified 1,200 employees in Kenya of their dismissal as part of similar "purges", giving them 48 hours to prove their innocence. Those who failed faced immediate termination with minimal severance—salary up to the last day, one month’s notice pay, and unused leave compensation minus any debts.
This article was initially published in French by Timothée Manoke
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
On June 11, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and China signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation in agriculture. The agreement was concluded on the sidelines of the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) in Changsha, capital of China’s Hunan province. The deal was officially presented on June 20, 2025, during the DRC’s 48th Council of Ministers by Grégoire Mutshail Mutomb, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security.
This initial agreement lays the foundation for a future strategic partnership focused on strengthening the DRC’s food sovereignty. It outlines several areas of collaboration, including technical knowledge sharing, development of trade channels for exporting Congolese products, and support for agricultural research through partnerships with Chinese institutions.
The company Modern Agriculture Trading SARL will serve as the technical partner for engaging with China’s Hunan Renjian Woxiang Group to establish bilateral purchasing mechanisms.
Although no implementation timeline was provided, the Council of Ministers has approved the creation of a multisectoral committee to oversee the technical and operational follow-up of the proposed partnership.
This memorandum is part of a series of recent agriculture-related agreements between the DRC and China. In April 2025, a cooperation agreement was signed with Chinese firm Hunan Linshi Agricultural Service Ltd to improve crop and vegetable productivity in the DRC through various initiatives.
In September 2024, the DRC’s Minister of External Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongia, facilitated the signing of a memorandum aimed at exporting more than one million tons of agricultural products from the DRC to China by Congolese producers.
In March 2025, a Chinese delegation visited the DRC’s Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to begin discussions on a partnership to enable the annual production of five million white-feathered chicks in the country.
The Belgian development agency Enabel announced on June 17, 2025, that it has mobilized €2.7 million (around $3 million) to “sustainably improve” access to financing for entrepreneurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The funding will support a 30-month program implemented in partnership with the Financial Inclusion Fund (FPM ASBL), a multi-donor fund that provides tailored technical assistance to financial institutions serving micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and low-income populations.
The initiative aims to develop long-term solutions for inclusive finance and to act as a catalyst for more equitable and participatory economic development. It will focus on strengthening the capacity of financial institutions to tailor their services to the specific needs of entrepreneurs. This includes a particular focus on youth, women, and high-potential SMEs.
In parallel, the program will offer training in business management and financial literacy. This training aims to help entrepreneurs qualify for formal financial services. The program also plans to enhance coordination among local entrepreneurial ecosystem players, with tighter monitoring of partnership initiatives. The program will target six provinces: Kinshasa, Haut-Katanga, Lualaba, Tshopo, Kasaï Oriental, and Sud-Ubangi.
Enabel already operates several initiatives in the DRC to support entrepreneurship. In Lubumbashi and Kolwezi, the Boost Camp program supports 20 SMEs through coaching and training. In Kinshasa, K-Impact assists 100 MSMEs, while Kin Emploi promotes youth employment. In Mbuji-Mayi, the Incubakor initiative backs young project leaders.
Belgium’s 2023 to 2027 bilateral cooperation program with the DRC amounts to €250 million. Enabel is also implementing donor-funded projects worth about €105 million, including funds from the European Union.
Ronsard Luabeya, stagiaire
Kinshasa’s long-awaited central market, known locally as Zando, is finally nearing completion. Governor Daniel Bumba announced during a site visit on June 21, 2025, that the market could reopen in just over three months. He made the visit alongside members of the Provincial Assembly bureau.
Bumba reported that construction work has reached 90% completion. The remaining tasks include finishing 5,000 market stalls and installing septic tanks and boreholes to guarantee the market’s autonomous water supply.
This announcement comes after rising pressure from traders who recently mobilized to demand the reopening of the market. Authorities closed Zando in January 2021 to launch modernization work, a decision that initially triggered widespread public protests.
The central market overhaul stems from a public-private partnership between the city of Kinshasa and French firm Sogema. Construction was outsourced to the Chinese company SZTC. The project is backed by a $44.5 million loan from Sofibanque.
Although initial plans scheduled completion for November 2023, several factors caused delays. Among them were a late project start and complications linked to the development of access roads.
Despite setbacks, the scale of the market remains impressive. Spread over 80,500 square meters, Zando is expected to house 80,000 stalls, 40 cold rooms, 270 toilets, and 22 units for commercial banks. These figures were released in 2024 by former governor Gentiny Ngobila. He also projected the market could create "over 500,000 jobs."
According to the Public Expenditure Observatory (Odep) and the Congolese League Against Corruption (Licoco), the operating contract grants Sogema control of the market for 25 years. They called this duration “arbitrarily fixed, without prior study on financial, economic profitability, or environmental impact.” In contrast, provincial authorities defend the deal. They point to the quality and durability of the infrastructure, which they estimate has a lifespan of 150 years.
This article was initially published in French by Timothée Manoke (Intern)
AVZ Minerals Limited has resumed its arbitration case against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the prized Manono lithium deposit, the Australian mining company announced in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
AVZ had announced on May 26 that it was temporarily suspending proceedings before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) until June 23. The company stated at the time that this pause aimed to foster "a climate conducive to discussions" in hopes of reaching an amicable resolution. However, that effort collapsed. AVZ now accuses the DRC of refusing to participate in any dialogue during the suspension window. "Despite AVZ’s best endeavors, the DRC did not engage with AVZ during the period of temporary suspension and that suspension has now lapsed,” the firm stated bluntly.
Congolese authorities have not commented on the situation as of yet. Their silence leaves open the question of why negotiations failed, especially since ICSID had confirmed the suspension was mutual and in line with both parties' agreement.
KoBold's Deal Loses Ground
This legal escalation directly threatens the January 21 offer made by American company KoBold Metals. Backed by investors including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, KoBold proposed to end the dispute by providing "appropriate compensation" to AVZ, in exchange for AVZ abandoning its claims on Manono in KoBold's favor. The offer initially appeared promising. On May 6, KoBold and AVZ signed a framework agreement, stating that AVZ would transfer its commercial interests in the Manono lithium deposit to KoBold at a fair market value.
However, the agreement carried a major condition: the DRC would need to either grant AVZ a mining permit or formally recognize its rights over the site. Kinshasa has refused to meet that condition, putting the entire KoBold offer on unstable ground. As a result, AVZ saw no alternative but to restart its legal offensive. The company initially brought the case to ICSID in June 2023, and the latest move signals its determination to press ahead.
At the heart of the conflict lies exploration permit PR 13359. AVZ claims legal rights over this portion of the lithium deposit. However, Congolese courts awarded 100% control of the permit to state-owned Cominière, reversing an earlier arrangement where AVZ had co-managed the license through a joint venture with the public enterprise.
American Sponsor's Influence and Geopolitical Stakes
Following that ruling, Cominière formed a new partnership with Chinese conglomerate Zijin Mining, creating Manono Lithium SAS. This joint venture, 61% owned by Zijin (via its subsidiary Jinxiang Lithium) and 39% by Cominière, has obtained an exploitation permit for the northeastern part of the deposit and plans to begin lithium production in the first quarter of 2026.
Parallel to its ICSID case, AVZ is also suing its former partner Cominière before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. This legal battle has already yielded results, with the tribunal ruling in AVZ’s favor and ordering Cominière to pay 39.1 million euros in penalties for non-compliance with prior court orders.
According to AVZ, the temporary pause in arbitration followed a call from the U.S. government, which encouraged both parties to take steps to foster a climate conducive to discussions. This legal and corporate drama unfolds against a backdrop of complex geopolitics. Washington is concurrently negotiating a "minerals for security" agreement with the DRC. Under this proposed deal, the U.S. would offer military and strategic assistance to help stabilize Congo’s eastern provinces. In return, the DRC would grant preferential access to U.S. companies operating in the mining sector.
At the same time, American and Congolese officials are working on a broader peace accord involving the DRC and Rwanda. The signing of both agreements is announced for the end of the month. The DRC’s stance in the AVZ-KoBold case, and its continued silence, raises new questions.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has extended its suspension of cobalt exports for another three months as part of efforts to stabilize the market. The decision was announced by the Regulatory Authority for Strategic Mineral Markets (Arecoms) in an official statement dated June 21, 2025.
The export ban, which first took effect on February 22, applies to all cobalt produced nationwide. This includes cobalt from industrial, semi-industrial, artisanal, and small-scale mining operations.
Arecoms stated that the decision is driven by persistently high stock levels in the market. Cobalt prices have also shown signs of weakness in recent weeks, falling from $33,700 per ton on June 2 to $33,250 by market close on June 20.
After the initial announcement of the export ban in February, cobalt prices jumped nearly 60 %, stabilizing around $33,700 per ton in April. Despite the recovery, prices remain well below the market peak of $82,000 per ton seen in 2022.
Arecoms noted that the suspension could be extended, adjusted, or lifted at any time, though no specific price target has been set. What is known is that the Congolese government based its 2025 national budget on an average cobalt price of $28,000 per ton, a forecast that remains uncertain given current market conditions.
The government has already signaled its desire to tighten control over cobalt exports. During the Council of Ministers meeting on March 14, 2025, officials expressed plans to introduce export quotas and encourage more local processing of raw materials.
These plans started to take shape on March 26 with the groundbreaking of the Musompo Special Economic Zone. The site is dedicated to producing battery precursors, fully assembled batteries, and potentially electric vehicles using Congolese raw materials.
Upcoming policy decisions could also be shaped by the strategies of major cobalt producers operating in DR Congo. During the Cobalt Congress held in Singapore this May, companies voiced opposing views on the export ban. Chinese mining giant CMOC pushed for the embargo to be lifted quickly, while some traders linked to Swiss-based Glencore argued that Congolese cobalt should only return to the global market once price stability is restored.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has joined other African nations in a united effort to counter the growing market for synthetic diamonds. During the International Ministerial Roundtable on Natural Diamonds, held in Luanda, Angola, from June 17 to 19, 2025, Africa's leading diamond producers and global industry leaders pledged 1% of their revenues to promote and market natural diamonds. Along with the DRC, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Angola are also signatories to this agreement.
The diamond sector has been significantly impacted by the rise of synthetic diamonds, often perceived as more affordable and environmentally friendly. This shift has intensified pressure on natural diamonds, leading to a sharp decline in prices. Prices fell from $12.50 per carat in 2022 to $9.60 in 2024, a 23.2% drop.
Promoting Natural Diamonds
The Natural Diamond Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting natural diamonds, is leading a global awareness campaign. According to Angola’s Ministry of Mineral Resources, as cited by Le Monde, this campaign aims to educate a new generation of consumers about the rarity, authenticity, and socioeconomic benefits that natural diamonds bring to local communities and producing countries.
At the roundtable, Kizito Pakabomba Kapinga Mulume, the DRC’s Minister of Mines, urged a coordinated effort to revitalize the natural diamond sector. He described the sector as a driver of development, a vehicle for peace, and a vital source of added value for local populations. He also emphasized the need to establish an ethical, traceable, transparent, and fair value chain for African natural diamonds.
Despite being among the world’s top diamond producers, the DRC faces significant challenges in its diamond sector. Official figures show that the country’s diamond exports have dropped from 17.9 million carats in 2017 to just 9.2 million in 2024. This decline is largely attributed to structural difficulties faced by the country's main producers, including Bakwanga Mining Company (MIBA) and Anhui-Congo Mining Investment Corporation (SACIM).
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin
The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ministry of Sports and Leisure announced, in a communiqué published on June 19, 2025, the signing of a memorandum of understanding for a public-private partnership with Burundi’s East African General Trade Company (EAGT). This partnership aims to modernize the oversight of the gambling and sports betting sector, a rapidly expanding field in the country.
According to the Ministry, EAGT will implement a centralized digital monitoring system. This system will connect operators' platforms to transmit real-time reports to the Congolese state. The initiative seeks to bolster sector transparency, enhance tax collection (especially the 10% tax on bettors' winnings), and combat tax fraud.
While no specific timeline has been set for implementation, a pilot phase is planned for Kinshasa. An interministerial commission will rigorously supervise this pilot to ensure robust oversight by public authorities. EAGT will fully cover the project's initial funding, with repayment staggered based on generated revenues, thereby avoiding any immediate pressure on state finances.
This project is part of a broader push to regulate the sector. In 2023, during a Council of Ministers meeting, former Finance Minister Nicolas Kazadi revealed that 139 illegal operators were active in 2022, with no available data on their revenues. Tax collections that same year reached only one billion Congolese francs, a level deemed very low compared to the sector's real potential.
Faced with this situation, the government had considered creating a regulatory authority equipped with a digital tracking system. Projections at the time suggested such a reform could generate over $100 million annually (280 billion Congolese francs at the current dollar value), solely from the tax applied to bettors' stakes.
Burundi offers a successful example. In June 2024, N-Soft introduced a similar system there. According to the Director General of Burundi's National Lottery, this system led to a dramatic 552% increase in the sector's tax revenues.
• Heineken loses control of Goma and Bukavu sites due to armed occupation
• Bralima evacuates staff from eastern DR Congo as security crisis worsens
• The shutdown affects nearly one-third of Heineken’s revenue in the country
Heineken’s Congolese subsidiary, Bralima, has confirmed the shutdown of its operations in Goma and Bukavu, two major cities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), following the occupation of its sites by armed groups.
The company announced the move on June 20, 2025, after losing operational control of its facilities, which have been targeted amid escalating violence in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Armed groups, including M23 rebels, have carried out large-scale offensives in the region for several months.
Bralima had already suspended its activities in Goma, Bukavu, and Uvira back in March after warehouses were looted and raided. As the security situation deteriorated further, the company evacuated all remaining staff from its eastern operations, affecting around 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Internal company data shows that the Goma, Bukavu, and Uvira sites account for nearly one-third of Bralima’s revenue in DR Congo, a country where Heineken has operated since the 1920s and runs five breweries nationwide.
The company’s withdrawal comes as international efforts intensify to restore stability in the region. On June 18, DR Congo and Rwanda signed a peace agreement in Washington, brokered by the United States. The deal includes commitments to respect territorial integrity and end hostilities in eastern DR Congo.
However, it remains unclear whether this diplomatic push will bring quick improvements on the ground in Goma and Bukavu, conditions necessary for Bralima to consider restarting operations.
Heineken’s exit from eastern DR Congo adds more strain to the country’s struggling beer market. In 2023, DR Congo produced 520 million liters of beer, a 6 % increase from 2022, yet still short of meeting growing demand. Per capita beer consumption reached 4.96 liters in 2021 and has been rising nearly 6 % annually.
The Congolese beer market holds strong potential, but ongoing instability in the east continues to undermine its growth.
More...
In a joint statement signed June 19, 2025, Democratic Republic of Congo Deputy Prime Minister for the Interior Jacquemain Shabani Bihango and Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner announced their meeting with U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo Lucy Tamlyn in Kinshasa. Their discussions centered on potential U.S. visa restrictions.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of 36 countries targeted by a U.S. State Department notification dated June 17, 2025. This notification demands urgent improvements in the management of migration systems. According to the diplomatic note, these countries have 60 days to demonstrate significant progress in readmitting their nationals in irregular situations, enhancing document security, and verifying identities at borders. Failure to comply could lead to visa restrictions or other specific migration sanctions.
During the meeting, the Congolese delegation acknowledged difficulties tracking passports issued before 2022, especially those involving fraudulent or forged documents. They committed to strengthening the issuance of biometric passports, accelerating the deployment of interconnected databases, and cooperating with U.S. authorities on repatriation procedures for expelled Congolese nationals. Kinshasa also requested technical assistance from U.S. agencies specializing in document security.
For the United States, this approach aligns with a broader, more restrictive immigration policy. This policy began under the previous Trump administration and was reinitiated in June 2025 to pressure countries deemed uncooperative on readmission matters. According to the Times of India, African countries most vulnerable to sanctions include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Togo, Guinea, and Cameroon.
Beyond the diplomatic implications, this issue directly affects many Congolese citizens, including travelers, students, entrepreneurs, and families residing in the U.S. Their visa applications or renewals could face delays or cancellations. In 2023, the U.S. issued over 18,000 non-immigrant visas to Congolese nationals, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs.
This article was initially published in French by Boaz Kabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin
Key Highlights
- Marriott International to launch Protea and Four Points hotels in Kinshasa by end-2025.
- The move is part of a broader plan to open over 50 hotels across Africa by 2027.
- Entry into DRC follows Radisson's recent announcement of new hotels in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi.
Marriott International announced plans on June 18 to open two hotels in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), by the end of 2025. The company confirmed it will introduce Protea Hotel by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton brands to the country.
Marriott did not disclose project details, investment figures, or development partners. However, the U.S.-based hotel giant typically collaborates with local or regional investors in African markets. Past partnerships include projects with Amdec in Morocco and Letsatsi in Botswana under the same brands.
The new Kinshasa hotels are part of Marriott’s aggressive expansion strategy in Africa, aimed at tapping into rising tourism, business travel, and improving economic outlooks. The company said it plans to open more than 50 hotels and 9,000 rooms across the continent by end-2027.
New destinations include Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, and Mauritania, reflecting growing investor confidence in previously underdeveloped markets.
Marriott, majority-owned by major U.S. investment firms such as Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street, currently operates in over 144 countries, managing more than 9,000 hotels and nearly 1.7 million rooms globally.
The company’s entry into the DRC market follows a similar move by Radisson Hotel Group, owned by China's Jin Jiang International. Radisson announced in May it will open two hotels in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, scheduled for late 2026 and mid-2027, respectively.
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (Intern)
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
Highlights:
- Budana plant in Ituri now produces 7 MW after restoring its second turbine
- The site’s full installed capacity is 12 MW, still out of reach
- A $16 million modernization effort aims to upgrade power supply in Bunia
The Budana hydropower plant, located in Ituri province in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has raised its actual output from 3.5 megawatts to 7 megawatts following the restart of its second turbine on June 17. Despite this progress, the facility is still operating below its installed capacity, which stands at 12 megawatts.
The turbine was restored by Greentech Energy, as part of a larger $16 million upgrade program. The project is led by the Kilo-Moto Mining Company (Sokimo), which owns 60% of the venture through its subsidiary Electrokimo, and by Southern Energy DRC. The two companies formed a joint partnership in 2019, which resulted in the creation of Greentech Energy. The firm holds exclusive rights to operate Bunia’s power infrastructure for 25 years.
The first phase of the project focuses on restoring all three turbines at Budana, aiming to bring the plant’s total output to between 10 and 12 megawatts. Beyond turbine repairs, Greentech Energy is also tasked with upgrading the entire distribution network, installing new transformers, building power lines, and setting up prepaid meter systems. This “pay-as-you-go” model is designed to improve billing and help make the local electricity network financially sustainable.
Greentech says that better access to electricity in Bunia could bring real economic benefits by supporting local businesses and improving infrastructure across the city.
Built in the 1930s and commissioned in 1940, the Budana plant has suffered from aging equipment and poor maintenance for years. Until recently, it generated only 3 megawatts, far below the region’s energy needs.
The decline was mostly due to Sokimo’s financial troubles, which made it impossible to fund regular upkeep. The recent investment and new private-sector involvement mark a turning point for the site and the city it powers.
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (Intern)
Edited in English by Firmine AIZAN
DRC’s Minister of External Trade Julien Paluku Kahongya announced that several Congolese agricultural products, including coffee and cocoa, will now enter the UK market duty-free. This decision follows a June 17, 2025 meeting with Kumar Iyer, the UK ambassador to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and other international organizations in Geneva.
"Certification and compliance bodies will oversee the implementation of this decision," Paluku Kahongya said. DRC exporters looking to ship agricultural goods to the UK must register with the Rural Payments Agency to get an import license. For fruits and vegetables, a certificate of conformity from UK authorities is also required. London stated that these procedures can be completed online.
This news comes amid a significant drop in DRC’s exports to the UK. Data from the International Trade Centre (ITC) shows that the value of goods imported from the DRC by the UK fell from $261.6 million in 2022 to just $12 million in 2024, a 95.4% decrease. No official reason has been provided for this decline.
In February, the Ministry of External Trade and the UK embassy in Kinshasa established a technical commission to speed up the signing of trade agreements aimed at boosting exports. Local media reported that discussions focused on a list of 62 priority products, though this list has not been made public.
The UK government noted that it introduced a preferential trade scheme for developing countries, including the DRC, in 2023. This scheme is part of its post-Brexit trade policy and offers reduced tariffs on 99% of goods from these nations, aiming to lower raw material import costs for British businesses.
This article was initially published in French by Timothée Manoke (Intern)
Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin