The Democratic Republic of Congo has attracted an average of $2 billion in foreign direct investment per year in its mining sector over the past two decades, Vice Prime Minister and Economy Minister Daniel Mukoko Samba said Wednesday, during the visit of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim to Kinshasa.
These investments have enabled the country to surpass 3 million tonnes of copper production, making it the world’s second-largest producer, the minister said in discussions with Congolese and Qatari media.
“This clearly demonstrates that international investors can establish themselves in the DRC, do business, and prosper here,” Mukoko Samba added.
The minister urged Qatar to adopt a regional approach rather than focusing solely on one country.
“For Qatar, it would be wise to prioritize projects that promote regional economic integration, rather than targeting a single country to the exclusion of others,” he said, noting that “smaller neighbouring states with fewer resources could be less profitable outside a regional framework anchored on the DRC”.
Mukoko Samba highlighted transport infrastructure, logistics platforms, and the energy sector as priority areas to unlock the potential of East-West corridors that the DRC is developing, citing Radio Okapi.
The Emir’s visit follows the signing of letters of intent in September with Qatar’s Al Mansour Holding, covering a $21 billion portfolio. “We hope the Emir’s visit will provide the momentum needed to realize this project as quickly as possible,” Mukoko Samba said.M&B with Radio Okapi