Tshisekedi Orders Audit to Recover Lost Mining Revenues in DRC

President Félix Tshisekedi has ordered a comprehensive audit of mining export revenues and state assets, as the Democratic Republic of Congo seeks to address gaps between record production levels and government earnings, according to Reuters.

The decision comes as Congo continues to play a central role in global mineral supply chains. The country is the world’s largest producer of cobalt and a major source of copper, while also holding significant reserves of lithium, gold, and coltan.

According to figures presented during a cabinet meeting chaired by Tshisekedi, the DRC exported approximately 3.4 million metric tons of copper in 2025, up from 3.1 million tons the previous year. Cobalt exports reached around 220,000 tons over the same period.

Despite this growth, authorities say the state has not fully benefited from the increase in output.

Tshisekedi pointed to a range of structural issues, including weak oversight, opaque joint ventures involving state mining assets, non-repatriation of revenues, and capital outflows linked to fraudulent import practices.

The president has instructed that a full audit be conducted within 30 days to identify unpaid revenues and assess governance practices across mining partnerships. Initial findings are expected by mid-June.

He also called for stronger coordination between customs services, port authorities, the central bank, and commercial banks, with the aim of ensuring that all mineral exports and related financial flows are fully traceable.

The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen governance in the mining sector, which remains the backbone of the Congolese economy.

Recent reforms have focused on tightening state oversight and improving transparency, as Kinshasa seeks to increase public revenues and reinforce investor confidence.

A previous state audit found that major mining companies may have underreported up to $16.8 billion in revenues between 2018 and 2023, highlighting the scale of the challenge.