INTERNATIONAL FORUM
FOR INDUSTRIALIZATION AND INVESTMENTS OF DRC
February 24th
27th, 2025
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo
President Tshisekedi’s vision of industrialization
His Excellency, President FELIX ANTOINE TSHISEKEDI, Head of State, Supreme Commander and Head of the Army, carries in his heart a vision for the emergence of a new Congo.
President FELIX ANTOINE TSHISEKEDI, Head of State aware of the expectations of the Congolese people to choose to fight against poverty, through the creation of employment opportunities for young people, the empowerment and promotion of women in our society, as well as the inclusion and protection of the most vulnerable people, improving purchasing power, and the stability of the Congolese Franc, facilitating the creation of a real industry which can contribute to reducing the dependence of our economy on imports.
It was during his inauguration speech at the Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte, on January 20, 2024. The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Antoine Tshisekedi described his vision during the next five-year term by describing 6 areas of commitment to its social project: Create more jobs; Protect household purchasing power; Ensure with much more efficiency the security of our populations, our territory, our property as well as the preservation of our interests; Continue to diversify our economy and increase its competitiveness; Guarantee more access to basic services; Strengthen the efficiency of our public services.
Indeed, the efforts of President Tshisekedi have propelled the DRC economically among emerging countries in Africa despite major challenges; with countless natural resources, a fast-growing economy, and 60% of a young population.
The DRC offers a great opportunity to Africa by producing energy capable of facilitating the industrialization of several African cities through its INGA dam.
Nowadays, the world is experiencing the digitalization economy or the 5th industrial revolution, with the smartphone (intelligent phone) or with electric and autonomous cars; which depend entirely on the production of cobalt, coltan and other minerals of which the DRC is the main producer.
This demonstrates that the Democratic Republic of Congo today holds the keys to facilitating the global expansion of the digital economy through its capacity to produce useful raw materials which contribute to the revolution of modern 5G technology and more particularly artificial intelligence, which today facilitates the introduction of autonomous cars.
The DRC offers investors, businessmen and entrepreneurs the opportunity to take part in the economic emergence of DR Congo and benefit from its economic revival and its privileges, by seizing the opportunity to do business and invest in a market of more than one hundred million people, by taking part in opportunities for the construction of road infrastructure, the operation of exploitation of the mining industry, hydrocarbon production, Telecommunications, Banking and Finance, Health, Tourist, investment opportunities in transport, renewable energy and many others…
It is in this perspective that the International Forum for Industrialization and Investments in the DRC open the DRC market to potential investors, with a view to the emergence of a new Congo.
The Ministry of Industry
Governmental action focuses on replenishing an entrepreneurial and industrial ecosystem based on an integrated development approach.
Inspiring by resilience, dynamism, and specifics in each DR Congo territory, the stimulation of an entrepreneurial culture constitutes one of the fundamentals required for creating more employment and wealth as well as protecting power from the purchase of the population, mainly youth and women, through a diverse, competitive, and sustainable economy.
These are not just the expectations, but the aspirations of the Congolese people, which we, as the government, are committed to fulfilling.
His Excellency Louis WATUM KABAMBA
Minister of Industry and SMEs and SMIs Development
Doing Business in DRC
Regarding Doing Business in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the process of improving the business and investor climate was launched by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo with the goal of promoting the private sector by creating the conditions for prosperity and to favor the creation of jobs and wealth.
The DRC’s excellent economic indicators and the reform initiatives carried out by the government are positive factors for doing business in the DRC.
Thus, at the second edition of the conference on the business climate held on July 6, 2023, the evidence is that: “The Democratic Republic of Congo can be delighted to have gained 40 basis points in the space of one year: in 2022, the pan-African rating agency Bloomfield placed the country at 5.1, before raising it to 5.5, twelve months later. This favorable rating places the country in a positive economic dynamic.
Ranking of the Democratic Republic of Congo in doing business report 2020
The World Bank has published its ranking of the best performing economies in terms of business facilitation in the world. An analysis of the report, which is in its 17th edition, reveals that 115 countries around the world have implemented reforms to improve the business climate.
The Democratic Republic of Congo occupies 49th place in Africa and 183rd place in the world.
Why invest in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Investing in the Democratic Republic of Congo offers numerous opportunities and significant financial returns, while contributing to sustainable economic growth and the development of the living conditions of the Congolese population. But also:
- The Democratic Republic of Congo, in collaboration with its development partners, launched structural reforms in 2009 with a view to shortening formalities, administrative procedures and providing legal security for investors, with a view to improving the business climate.
- This country is full of multiple natural resources. Including diamond, copper, cobalt, gold and uranium. These resources are still largely unexploited.
- The Congolese government offers incentives negotiated with foreign investors. These may include tax benefits, exemptions and favorable conditions for investment projects.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo has a specific policy in the industrial sector. In addition, it offers specific advantages to investors in Special Economic Zones.
As a result, according to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2022, FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) flows to the Democratic Republic of Congo increased from 1.6 billion USD in 2020 to 1.8 billion USD in 2021.