The Democratic Republic of the Congo has opened a three-day economic forum in London with a clear message to British investors: Kinshasa is seeking mutually beneficial partnerships that create industries, jobs and local value—not a traditional aid relationship.
LONDON — November 3, 2026
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has launched a major economic and investment drive in London, presenting itself to British businesses as a strategic partner in energy, mining, agriculture, infrastructure and industrial development.
The UK –DRC Economic Forum opened on Monday, November 2, and continues through Wednesday, November 4. It brings together Congolese government officials, businesses, financial institutions, project promoters and nearly 90 British investors interested in opportunities across the country.
At the opening, Foreign Trade Minister Julien Paluku Kahongya delivered the central message of the Congolese delegation: “The Democratic Republic of the Congo has not come to seek aid, but win-win partnerships.”
According to the Agence Congolaise de Presse, the government is using the forum to promote investments capable of producing sustainable growth and shared economic value.
Congo Presents Itself as a Country of Solutions
Communication and Media Minister Patrick Muyaya presented the DRC as a “country-solution” whose natural resources, energy potential and strategic location can contribute to major global challenges.
He highlighted the country’s reserves of cobalt, copper and coltan—minerals essential to batteries, electronics, clean-energy technologies and the wider global energy transition.
“The coltan, cobalt and copper needed for the energy transition are found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Muyaya said, according to ACP’s coverage of the forum.
| ECONOMY
DRC Opens London Forum Seeking Partnerships, Not Aid
Nov 3, 2026
Nov 3, 2026
9 min read
Published
Updated:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has opened a three-day economic forum in London with a clear message to British investors: Kinshasa is seeking mutually beneficial partnerships that create industries, jobs and local value—not a traditional aid relationship.
LONDON — November 3, 2026
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has launched a major economic and investment drive in London, presenting itself to British businesses as a strategic partner in energy, mining, agriculture, infrastructure and industrial development.
The UK–DRC Economic Forum opened on Monday, November 2, and continues through Wednesday, November 4. It brings together Congolese government officials, businesses, financial institutions, project promoters and nearly 90 British investors interested in opportunities across the country.
At the opening, Foreign Trade Minister Julien Paluku Kahongya delivered the central message of the Congolese delegation: “The Democratic Republic of the Congo has not come to seek aid, but win-win partnerships.”
According to the Agence Congolaise de Presse, the government is using the forum to promote investments capable of producing sustainable growth and shared economic value.
Congo Presents Itself as a Country of Solutions
Communication and Media Minister Patrick Muyaya presented the DRC as a “country-solution” whose natural resources, energy potential and strategic location can contribute to major global challenges.
He highlighted the country’s reserves of cobalt, copper and coltan—minerals essential to batteries, electronics, clean-energy technologies and the wider global energy transition.
“The coltan, cobalt and copper needed for the energy transition are found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Muyaya said, according to ACP’s coverage of the forum.
The message to investors went beyond access to minerals. The DRC is seeking partnerships that support local processing, industrial value chains, infrastructure and Congolese employment.
By processing more minerals inside the country, the DRC can retain a greater share of their value, develop new industries and create technical and industrial jobs for its population.
This approach places the country not only at the source of strategic raw materials but also within the manufacturing and technology chains that depend on them.
Nearly 90 British Investors Join the Forum
The forum brings together approximately 90 British investors and companies, alongside Congolese ministers, public institutions and business representatives.
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The Congolese delegation includes Foreign Trade Minister Julien Paluku, Communication and Media Minister Patrick Muyaya, Deputy Foreign Minister Noëlla Ayeganagato, senior public officials and representatives of institutions involved in industrial development, investment and subcontracting.
Three government ministers began the London mission as part of what ACP described as an investment offensive intended to present bankable opportunities and connect Congolese project promoters with British partners.
The programme includes sector panels, business-to-business meetings and engagement between investors and government representatives.
The official UK–DRC Economic Forum programme identifies infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture, trade and financial services among the principal areas of discussion.
The goal is to move beyond general conversations and give companies, institutions and project developers an opportunity to examine commercially viable initiatives.
Mining Partnerships Built Around Local Value
The DRC’s mineral wealth is central to the forum, but the government’s economic message is focused on transformation rather than simple extraction.
Congolese authorities want investors to participate in mineral processing, supporting infrastructure, technology transfer and industrial production within the country.
The forum’s agenda includes discussions on critical minerals, mining and industrial value chains. These conversations can support projects in refining, battery materials, component production, logistics, power generation and technical training.
For British companies, the DRC offers access to one of the world’s most important mineral economies. For the Congolese government, the priority is to convert that strategic position into stronger local industries, better jobs and increased national revenue.
This aligns with President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo’s wider policy of using the country’s resources as a foundation for industrialization and economic sovereignty.
Energy, Agriculture and Infrastructure Opportunities
The Congolese investment offer extends well beyond mining.
The DRC has major opportunities in hydropower, renewable energy, electricity distribution, agriculture, agro-processing, transport corridors, urban infrastructure and digital systems.
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Reliable energy and modern infrastructure are essential to productive investment. Mines, factories, farms and growing cities all require electricity, roads, logistics, water systems and telecommunications.
Agriculture offers another high-impact opportunity. With extensive arable land and a large domestic market, the DRC can expand food production, agro-processing and exports while creating employment across rural communities.
The forum allows Congolese institutions and businesses to present these opportunities directly to investors capable of bringing financing, equipment, technical knowledge and access to markets.
Trade Reforms Presented to British Businesses
Minister Julien Paluku also used the London platform to present reforms intended to improve trade and the business environment.
According to reporting from the forum, he highlighted the digitization of trade procedures, the DRC’s ratification of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement and the progressive removal of taxes considered harmful to business activity.
He also cited the review of the DRC’s trade policy by WTO members in Geneva as a sign of the country’s stronger integration into multilateral commerce.
These reforms are important to investors because competitive projects require predictable procedures, faster movement of goods and clearer administrative systems.
The Congolese delegation is presenting reform and investment as two parts of the same strategy: government improves the operating environment while private partners bring capital, technology and productive capacity.
99.8% of Products Can Enter the UK Duty-Free
The forum also highlights a major trade opportunity for Congolese producers seeking access to the British market.
Under the United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme, the DRC qualifies for Comprehensive Preferences. The official UK guidance states that countries in this category receive a zero import tariff on 99.8% of products, excluding arms and ammunition.
This creates opportunities for Congolese exports including coffee, cocoa, spices, agricultural products, processed foods, manufactured goods and other qualifying products that meet origin and quality requirements.
The tariff preference is most valuable when Congolese producers can meet British standards, obtain the necessary certification and deliver products reliably.
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The DRC Ministry of Foreign Trade has been working with British partners on producer training, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, support for local businesses and the digitalization of one-stop border posts.
These measures can help turn market access on paper into real export growth for Congolese enterprises.
Paluku Proposes Direct London–Kinshasa Cargo Link
One of the practical proposals presented in London is the opening of a direct air connection between London and Kinshasa, beginning with cargo services.
Minister Paluku argued that a direct cargo link could make trade easier and provide new momentum for commercial exchanges between the two countries, according to coverage of the forum’s opening.
Such a route could support exporters of time-sensitive and high-value products, reduce logistical complexity and strengthen the connection between Congolese producers and British buyers.
The proposal will require discussions with aviation, logistics and commercial partners. Its presentation at the forum places transport connectivity directly within the investment agenda.
British Leaders Encourage Concrete Agreements
British participants have also called for stronger commercial engagement with the DRC.
Baroness Sandip Verma, a member of the House of Lords who has supported the forum, encouraged participants to pursue mutually advantageous agreements.
Lord Popat, a former UK trade envoy to the DRC and former special envoy to the Great Lakes region, described Africa as an important frontier for trade and investment and encouraged greater British economic engagement with the continent.
The forum is organized by the DRC Ministry of Foreign Trade, KNG Strategy and the UK–DRC Business Partnership Consortium. The Westminster Africa Business Association describes its objective as developing strategic partnerships, trade, investment and sustainable development between the two countries.
The participation of government representatives, investors and business organizations creates a platform for translating political goodwill into commercial relationships.
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