News (383)
Highlights:
• Twangiza Mining not listed among DRC gold producers since 2021
• Q1 2025 industrial gold output reached 5.9 tons, led by Kibali Gold
• Company’s claim of recent activity contrasts with official data and long absence
Twangiza Mining announced on May 8 that it was suspending operations. However, the move will have no impact on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s official gold production figures. Why? Because the company has been off the country’s official list of gold producers since 2021.
In the first quarter of 2025, official industrial gold output in the DRC reached 5.9 tons. That total came from Kibali Gold (5.86 tons), MCCR (18.6 kilograms), Kimia Mining Investment (4.9 kilograms), and Sokimo (4.6 kilograms). Twangiza Mining was not listed.
Official records show that Twangiza disappeared from the national gold producer registry in 2021. One year earlier, Banro—the Canadian company that had operated the Twangiza mine since 2012—sold its stake to minority shareholder Baiyin International Investments for a symbolic one Congolese franc.
By the time of the sale, Twangiza’s output had dropped sharply due to repeated attacks by armed groups. Production fell from nearly 5 tons in 2015 to 3.4 tons in 2018, then to 1.3 tons in 2019, and finally dropped to zero in 2020.
Yet when the company announced its recent suspension, CEO Chao Xianfeng stated that Twangiza had resumed operations in recent years. He said the company had halted activity again due to conflict with M23 rebels and their Rwandan allies, who have controlled the mine since May 2025. That would suggest the company was active at least during Q1 2025, but no output was reported.
The situation has drawn more scrutiny, especially following recent remarks by South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki. On April 2, speaking before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly, he alleged that at least 1,600 companies are illegally exploiting mineral resources in eastern Congo. Many of them, he added, are backed by Chinese capital and are allegedly smuggling gold to Middle Eastern countries, including Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Reported by Pierre Mukoko and Boaz Kabeya, intern
Since early June, the price of a 50-kilogram bag of cement has surged across three provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), namely Maniema, Kasaï, and Kasaï Oriental. The increases are primarily driven by logistical bottlenecks and supply disruptions affecting several cities.
In Kindu, the capital of Maniema, the price of a bag of grey cement has jumped from 95,700 to 145,000 Congolese francs (about $35 to $50), marking a 51.5% increase. According to a business operator quoted by the Congolese Press Agency ACP, this spike stems from a shortage at distribution depots, caused by irregular rail traffic from the National Railway Company of Congo (SNCC). The same source noted that several wagons loaded with cement from Kalemie are reportedly stranded at intermediate stations, slowing deliveries to Kindu. The poor condition of National Road No. 3 (RN3), which links Kisangani (Tshopo Province) to the river port of Wanyelukula, which is a key transit point to Kindu, further aggravates the situation.
In Mbujimayi, capital of Kasaï Oriental, the price has risen from $24 to $27 per bag. Dominique Ilunga Nkashama, provincial director for the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC), acknowledged the severity of the crisis. He attributed the rise to cement volumes blocked from Grand Katanga due to a shortage of trains. Nkashama urged economic operators to deploy their trucks during the dry season to replenish markets.
A similar trend is evident in Kasaï province. In Tshikapa, prices have climbed from 33,000 to 45,000 Congolese francs (roughly $11 to $16), a 36% increase. The provincial Minister of Finance and Economy, Bazin Pembe, condemned what he called an "illegal" price imposed by certain traders taking advantage of a truckers’ strike in Kinshasa. He demanded an immediate return to the regulatory price range and threatened administrative sanctions for violators.
Similar actions have been taken in Kisangani, Tshopo province, to curb price speculation. On June 10, the public prosecutor ordered the closure of several cement depots for failing to comply with the $16 price cap set by provincial Economy Minister Sénold Tandia Akomboyo. In Kisangani, prices had surged to $22, compared to the usual average of around $14.
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (Intern)
Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin
The World Bank has unlocked $19.47 million for the Democratic Republic of Congo, rewarding the country for keeping its trees standing.
The money, announced June 6, comes from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), a performance-based fund. The payout recognizes Congo’s verified reduction of 3.89 million tons of carbon emissions in Mai-Ndombe province — a forested region west of Kinshasa, rich in biodiversity and poor in infrastructure.
It’s more than a green pat on the back. The funds mark a shift in how forest conservation is financed: through results, not promises.
“This payment recognizes the country’s progress in protecting its forests while creating new opportunities for local communities,” said Albert G. Zeufack, the World Bank’s country director for the DRC. Regarding the Mai-Ndombe program, Zeufack said it shows that “finance can support local development, boost resilience, and bring real benefits to those who depend on the forest.”
The DRC is one of the pilot countries under REDD+ — a UN-backed framework that rewards developing nations for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The agreement with the World Bank could eventually bring in $55 million, tied to a goal of cutting 11 million tons of emissions in Mai-Ndombe.
So far, the country is on track.
A Gateway to the Carbon Market
But it’s not just about forests. The program is designed to generate 2,000 local jobs, rehabilitate 900 kilometers of rural roads, and support the sustainable management of 400,000 hectares of land. Over 120,000 people are expected to benefit — most of them smallholder farmers, forest dwellers, and Indigenous communities.
And there’s more. The World Bank is handing the DRC 1.7 million high-quality carbon credits — which the government can sell on the voluntary carbon market. These credits, likely to attract interest from global corporations looking to offset emissions, could open a new revenue stream for the State.
According to the World Bank, this could yield a $2.5 billion windfall for tropical forest nations by 2028 — if they play their cards right. The World Bank projects that 15 countries, including the DRC, could each sell more than 24 million credits on the market over the next few years. A sizable share of that money is expected to flow back to frontline communities and state budgets.
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Since June 5, 2025, the cost of a passport in the Democratic Republic of Congo has dropped from $99 to $75, a 24.2% reduction. The government unveiled the new pricing on May 27 through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Francophonie, promising not just affordability but improved service.
The new passport has 38 pages–against 32 before–enhanced security features, and complies with updated ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards. Officials also promise a simplified process with delivery timelines of 10 days in Kinshasa, 15 days in the provinces, and 20 days abroad.
Yet many Congolese remain skeptical. On the ministry’s Facebook page, one commenter reflected the general mood: “Stop lying to us... We know how things work in this country.” The disbelief is rooted in past experience. Even when the official fee stood at $185, applicants often waited over a month and paid far more than the listed price due to informal fees and bureaucratic delays. The government’s lack of detailed communication on how it plans to combine lower prices with improved delivery only deepens public suspicion.
Dermalog, a German firm, will officially design, fund, and produce the new passports. The company signed a $48 million deal with the Congolese government, according to a decree signed by the foreign minister on December 13, 2022. Although the contract’s duration has not been formally disclosed, media reports suggest a five-year term ending in December 2030.
So far, authorities have not broken down the $75 fee to clarify how much goes to Dermalog, how much to the state, and how operational costs will be covered.
When President Félix Tshisekedi signed off on the price cut on April 11, he called for a smooth transition that honors existing contractual obligations and protects social peace, especially by “avoiding any abrupt decisions that could impact government employees involved in passport issuance.”
This statement appears to shield the private partner’s financial share, suggesting that any adjustment in margins would fall elsewhere. But the fate of public agents remains uncertain. Many citizens fear that some may continue to charge extra fees for services that should be free — a practice deeply embedded in the system — raising the real cost and delaying delivery.
So far, neither the government nor Dermalog has given updates on the deployment of new enrollment centers or equipment across Kinshasa, the provinces, or diplomatic missions. In a June 4 letter to Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the union representing ministry staff expressed serious concerns about the rollout.
An inventory conducted by an interministerial committee reportedly showed limited implementation and mounting shortages of production tools amid rising demand. The letter also claimed that Dermalog had so far invested less than $5 million — just 10% of the contract’s maximum value.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko and Timothée Manoke (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Truckers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recently ended a three-week strike following intense negotiations between unions, the central and Kinshasa provincial governments, and the Federation of Enterprises of Congo (FEC). The decision was officially announced on June 13 by the Ministry of National Economy via its X (formerly Twitter) account.
According to the source, truckers have agreed to comply with revised traffic rules issued on June 12 by Economy Minister Daniel Mukoko, on behalf of the Minister of Transport.
Under the new measures, all trucks, regardless of size or load, may circulate and deliver goods freely within Kinshasa, as long as they respect the national traffic code; truck entry into the city is only permitted between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.; and parking on public roads remains strictly prohibited.
The breakthrough paves the way for the resumption of freight deliveries to the capital. According to the Ministry, 1,814 trucks that had been stranded in Lukala, Kongo Central province, are now cleared to proceed to Kinshasa.
Background: Dispute Over Daytime Truck Ban
The strike was sparked by a Kinshasa provincial government ban on daytime movement of trucks over 20 tons, aimed at reducing traffic congestion. Despite a partial relaxation of the measure on June 2, truckers maintained the strike, citing operational challenges and economic losses.
FEC Urged De-escalation
On June 11, the FEC urged transport unions to end the strike, warning of the severe economic toll on the country. The employers’ federation emphasized that a resolution had already been reached in a multi-party meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy. FEC also opposed extending the protest to other provinces.
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Cameroon are advancing efforts to operationalize the Kribi–Zongo trade corridor—a proposed logistics route connecting the deepwater port of Kribi, through the Central African Republic (CAR), to northern DRC. The plan aims to ease freight transport to and from one of the DRC’s most isolated regions.
On June 11, 2025, Congolese Ambassador to Cameroon Pierre Kashadile Bukasa Muteba met with Auguste Mbappé Penda, Director General of Cameroon’s National Shippers’ Council (CNCC), in Yaoundé to discuss the project’s next steps.
“We are committed to mobilizing all relevant authorities in both countries to ensure this major project comes to fruition,” said Ambassador Muteba, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
This diplomatic meeting builds on the technical groundwork initiated in May. On May 12, a delegation from the DRC’s Multimodal Freight Management Office (Ogefrem), led by Consulting Director Francis Bedy Makhubu, visited the CNCC in Douala to gather logistical data necessary to activate the corridor. The mission continued with a field visit to Kribi on May 13–14.
The Kribi–Zongo corridor is designed to address the long-standing transport bottlenecks facing businesses in northern DRC, where access to the country’s main port in Matadi—located in the southwest—is both geographically and economically challenging.
For Cameroon, the corridor also presents economic benefits through increased transit revenues from Congolese trade flows.
This article was initially published in French by PM (Business in Cameroon)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
A new Pepsi bottling plant is being built in in the Kiswishi Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Lubumbashi. Varun Beverages RDC SAS, the Congolese subsidiary of India’s Varun Beverages Limited, officially launched the project on June 12, 2025. The Indian group is one of PepsiCo’s largest bottling partners outside the United States.
Announced in September 2024, the project spans 15 hectares and represents a $50 million investment. Strategically located along National Road No. 1 (RN1), the plant is expected to serve Lubumbashi and the broader Haut-Katanga province. A completion date has not yet been disclosed.
According to Varun Beverages, the factory is set to generate thousands of jobs and strengthen PepsiCo’s footprint in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—a market the group describes as highly promising.
Strong Results Fuel Expansion
The new Kiswishi plant will complement the company’s existing production site in Maluku, near Kinshasa. Operational since August 2024, that factory produces up to 1.2 million bottles daily. With six products in its portfolio, the Maluku plant posted impressive results in 2024, generating 104.9 billion Congolese francs (approximately $36.8 million USD) in revenue, and a net profit of 2.17 billion francs (about $761,800 USD), based on the group’s annual report.
Pepsi and Mirinda led the company’s performance, accounting for the bulk of sales. Over 5.7 million bottles of Pepsi were sold, worth 49.6 billion francs, while Mirinda reached 5.3 million bottles and 46.2 billion francs in sales.
The new plant benefits from both the fiscal incentives of the SEZ and government policies aimed at protecting domestic manufacturers. On June 26, 2024, the Ministry of External Trade imposed a 12-month temporary ban on soft drink imports to shield the local industry from foreign competition.
This article was initially published in French by Timothée Manoke (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Armed fighters from the M23 rebel group looted the Lemera tea factory in South Kivu’s Kalehe territory on June 6, in the latest blow to the region’s fragile agricultural economy. Backed by the Rwandan army, the group reportedly stole all production equipment, including agricultural and industrial machinery, according to Radio Okapi. The factory has since suspended all operations.
The Lemera plant, a remnant of the colonial era, had served as a key economic driver in the Kalehe and Kabare-Kabamba areas. It processed raw tea leaves for both domestic consumption and export, supporting nearly 100 families and offering stable income to smallholder growers. The factory also maintained specialized equipment for plantation upkeep—now lost to looting.
The shutdown adds to a broader crisis plaguing the tea industry in both North and South Kivu, where persistent insecurity has halted production at several facilities. In North Kivu, the once-thriving Ngeri Tea Gardens (JTN), spanning 450 hectares, are now abandoned. The site, which used to produce around 240 tonnes of tea annually, has also ceased operations due to repeated conflict-related disruptions.
This collapse comes at a critical moment for the Democratic Republic of Congo, which risks missing out on a projected boom in demand for eco-friendly tea. A 2024 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) forecasts that U.S. and European demand for sustainably grown tea will rise by 8.4% and 6.6%, respectively, by 2026.
The DRC produced roughly 2,000 tonnes of tea in 2020, placing it 11th among African producers, according to the latest FAO data. However, without urgent measures to restore stability in its key agricultural zones, the country’s tea sector may be unable to seize this growing export opportunity.
This article was initially produced in French by Ronsard Luabeya, (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Ivanhoe Mines has lowered its 2025 copper production forecast for the Kamoa-Kakula project to between 370,000 and 420,000 tonnes, following a seismic incident in May that temporarily halted underground operations at the Kakula mine. The updated estimate was released in a company note dated June 11.
The new projection marks a nearly 30% reduction from the company’s initial guidance of 520,000 to 580,000 tonnes. Even the upper limit of the revised forecast falls short of 2024’s output of 437,061 tonnes—representing a 4% year-on-year decline.
While operations have resumed in the western wing of the Kakula mine, concentrators 1 and 2 are still running at just 50% of their combined processing capacity. Only the Kamoa mine and concentrator 3 remain fully operational.
The revised outlook undercuts Ivanhoe’s previous trajectory for the project, which had seen a 12% production increase in 2024. The company has also withdrawn its 2026 target of reaching 600,000 tonnes, citing the need for a broader operational reassessment.
Ivanhoe said restart efforts are underway in the eastern section of Kakula, but warned that the situation remains unstable. The company emphasized that it is still too early to "predict precisely the potential disruption caused by unexpected new seismic activity, the integrity of underground infrastructure, the ability to accelerate operations, the completion of dewatering work or the time required to access new mining areas".
The Kamoa-Kakula project is jointly owned by Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining (each holding 39.6%), with the Congolese state retaining a 20% stake. The project remains one of the largest copper developments on the continent, but the recent incident has cast uncertainty over its near-term performance.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko (Ecofin Agency)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
The Democratic Republic of Congo produced 1.74 million carats between January and March 2025—a 26% decline from the 2.35 million carats produced during the same period last year. The drop continues a multi-year downward trend driven by structural issues and global market pressures. It was determined by the Ministry of Mines' Technical Cell for Mining Coordination and Planning (CTCPM).
The source indicates that artisanal mining is still the country’s dominant source of diamond production, accounting for over 80% of total output in Q1 2025, or roughly 1.39 million carats. The Kasaï Oriental province alone contributed an overwhelming 93.7% of artisanal output, followed by Kasaï Central. Other regions, including Sankuru, Kwango, Ituri, and Nord-Ubangi, made only marginal contributions.
On the industrial side, production reached 344,049 carats—about 19.7% of the total. The sector is heavily reliant on SACIM (Société Anhui-Congo d’investissement minier), which produced 97% of the country’s industrial diamonds this quarter. The once-dominant state-owned MIBA contributed just 3%, hampered by outdated equipment and chronic operational difficulties. Monthly figures revealed a steep decline: only 52,305 carats were produced in March, compared to 155,241 in January.
Semi-industrial output remains negligible, with just 485 carats recorded, representing 0.03% of total national production.
Over the past five years, the DRC’s diamond industry has seen continued volatility. Since peaking at 3.15 million carats in Q1 2022, output has steadily declined—now nearly halved. Analysts attribute the drop to aging industrial infrastructure, limited investment, and growing reliance on artisanal extraction.
Exports are also falling. The DRC exported 1.91 million carats in Q1 2025, down 3% from the previous year. The United Arab Emirates remains the primary destination, receiving nearly 1.68 million carats (87.7%) worth around $8 million. Belgium and India followed with 11.7% and 0.6% of export volumes, respectively.
Globally, the diamond market faces a crisis of confidence. Natural diamonds are under pressure from the rapid rise of synthetic alternatives—seen as more affordable and environmentally friendly. Prices have dropped significantly, from $12.5 per carat in 2022 to $9.6 in 2024, a 23.2% decline that continues to weigh on producers across the value chain.
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
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Launched in December 2024, the 53.6 km Kolwezi–Sakabinda road project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is expected to be completed by 2027 at an estimated cost of $159 million. This was disclosed in the report of the visit to the site by the Congolese Minister of Infrastructure on June 10.
Executed through a public-private partnership (PPP) with Toha Investment and Bulongo Logistique, the project aims to enhance Congolese mineral exports and regional trade. It has an estimated cost of $159 million, or nearly $3 million per kilometer. The exact scope of the work, the duration of the contract, and the procedures for selecting the winning companies have not been made public.
The road upgrade is part of a larger bilateral initiative between the DRC and Zambia aimed at establishing a 140 km regional corridor linking Kolwezi to Lumwana, Zambia. The goal is to ease the transport of minerals from the Lualaba province to international markets via the border post at Sakabinda.
Zambia, on its end, began work on its 85 km stretch of the route in December 2024. That portion is being handled by the Sandstone consortium, also under a PPP framework. Both countries are coordinating efforts under a 2024 memorandum of understanding signed in Kolwezi, which also outlines the construction of a one-stop border post between Sakabinda (DRC) and Kambimba (Zambia).
Strategically, the new route will plug Kolwezi into major continental trade corridors—specifically the trans-African highways TH3 (Cape Town–Tripoli) and TH4 (Cairo–Durban). According to the Congolese Ministry of Infrastructure, this will streamline the export of copper, cobalt, and other critical minerals via regional ports such as Walvis Bay (Namibia), Durban (South Africa), and Dar es-Salaam (Tanzania).
The Kolwezi–Sakabinda corridor is also expected to relieve pressure on existing, congested border crossings like Sakania, Kasumbalesa, and Mokambo. For mining operators in Lualaba, the new route offers a promising alternative—reducing export costs, cutting delays, and opening new logistical pathways across Southern Africa.
This article was initially published in French by Timothée Manoke (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
At the 46th meeting of the Council of Ministers, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi instructed government members to draft a law establishing a sovereign wealth fund for the Republic of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the meeting minutes, the fund will finance major national projects and support entrepreneurship, with the overarching goal of reducing the country’s reliance on foreign aid and mining revenues.
"It will be a structuring lever to consolidate our economic independence, drive long-term development and build, today, the legacy of future generations," the President declared.
A sovereign wealth fund is a public financial instrument typically funded by revenues from natural resources or budget surpluses. It can be used to invest in strategic projects or to accumulate savings for future generations. In the DRC’s case, the future fund would be mainly financed by the Mining Fund for Future Generations (FOMIN), along with other public resource structures, as presented to the Council of Ministers.
Other African countries already have a similar fund. Gabon, for example, created its sovereign fund in 2012 to co-finance major infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy sector. The Gabonese fund also supports startup development and the marketing of carbon credits.
However, despite these objectives, such funds often face governance and efficiency challenges. In Gabon's case, the sovereign wealth fund has yet to fully resolve the country’s financing issues, illustrating the complexities involved in managing these instruments effectively.
Timothée Manoke (intern)
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), local media reported that on June 10, 2025, the Tshopo Public Prosecutor's Office in Kisangani closed several cement depots for failing to comply with the official price ceiling of $16 per bag, set by provincial Minister of Economy Sénold Tandia Akomboyo.
Since May, the price of cement in Kisangani had surged to $22 per bag, up from the usual $14, with traders citing the war in the east and high transport costs from Kinshasa as reasons for the increase.
Minister Tandia, however, attributed the spike to unjustified speculation. “According to the data in our possession, there is no justification for the increase in cement prices. Some operators are taking advantage of the war and the modernization drive to reap illicit profits. This is unacceptable,” he stated after meeting with major distributors including Cimenterie de Lukala (Cilu), PPC Barnet RDC, and Afri Food.
After this meeting, the price was provisionally capped at $16, but inspections later revealed widespread non-compliance, with some merchants expressing concern over supply logistics while others matched the legal price
PPC Barnet director Patrick Kahasha announced on June 7 the imminent arrival of over 120,000 bags of cement from Kinshasa via the Congo River, acknowledging that recent scarcity had fueled speculation.
This article was previously published in French by Timothée Manoke (intern)
Edited in English byOla Schad Akinocho
At the May 30, 2025 Council of Ministers meeting, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reviewed a note from Portfolio Minister, Jean Lucien Bussa, regarding the resumption of activities at Triomf RDC SA, a mixed-economy company that manufactures chemical fertilizers.
According to meeting minutes, Bussa emphasized the need to secure adequate financing for investment, working capital, and cash flow to ensure a reliable supply chain and sustainable business relaunch. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is currently studying these financing options.
Triomf RDC was established in October 2013 through a public-private partnership between the Congolese state (30% stake) and South African company Africom Commodities Ltd (70%). The goal was to produce fertilizers locally to support the Congolese agricultural sector. The plant, located in Boma, Kongo Central province, was inaugurated in April 2017. When fully operational, it had an annual production capacity of 25,000 tonnes and employed around 2,000 people, with initial investments totaling US$50 million.
Despite a promising start, Triomf RDC faced challenges that led the firm to cease operations. A 2021 assessment by the Fonds de promotion de l'industrie (FPI) revealed a lack of funds to purchase essential inputs, forcing the company to produce fertilizers abroad for the Congolese market. The FPI recommended recapitalizing the investment to revitalize the project.
The Congolese government has since taken steps to relaunch Triomf’s activities. At the July 14, 2023 Council of Ministers meeting, President Félix Tshisekedi directed the Portfolio Minister to collaborate with other government members to develop a revival plan. In September 2024, Minister Bussa discussed the possibility of increasing the company's capital and amending its articles of association with a company delegation.
This article was initially published in French by Boaz Kabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho