News (421)
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.
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
More...
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