DRC positions itself as decision centre for Africa's mining value addition

The first edition of Makutano Mining, a pan-African forum focused on the industrialisation of mining-producing countries and the financing of mining projects, is set to take place in Kinshasa from November 22 to 25, 2026.

The forum will be held under the high patronage of Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and will bring together President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, government officials, mining executives, investors, commercial banks, development finance institutions and energy companies.

Organised by the Makutano Network, the forum is aimed at promoting greater local value creation from Africa’s mineral resources while supporting the industrial development of mineral-producing countries.

The initiative represents a new focus for the Makutano Network, which has organised 11 editions of its flagship platform since 2015, bringing together six Heads of State and more than 5,500 business leaders, investors and decision-makers.

Focus on value addition

The organisers say the decision to dedicate a platform to the mining sector reflects the need for African countries to move beyond the extraction and export of raw minerals and create stronger domestic industries around their natural resources.

Founder of the Makutano Network, Nicole Sulu, said mining could provide a foundation for industrialisation if countries develop the capacity to process minerals locally and strengthen businesses that supply goods and services to mining companies.

"Mining can serve as a foundation for the industrialisation of producing countries, as mineral processing and the provision of goods and services to mining companies can support the development of local businesses," Ms. Sulu stated.

She said the continent must create the right conditions for such activities to expand and generate sustainable employment and income.

"Africa holds the resources, but not yet the rules of the game. If we want to create more value for our countries, we must bring all sector stakeholders around the same table. From Kinshasa, we want to demonstrate that the DRC can become the place where decisions are made, partnerships are forged and the prosperity of our continent is built," she said.

Makutano Mining will therefore bring together key players across the mining value chain to examine investment conditions, government priorities and the operational needs of businesses.

The discussions are expected to focus on how governments, mining companies, financial institutions and energy providers can coordinate their efforts to support local content, mineral beneficiation, infrastructure development and investment.

Four days of discussions and business meetings

The four-day programme will combine high-level discussions, technical sessions, exhibitions and business meetings at the Pullman Kinshasa and Fleuve Congo Hotel.

Delegations are expected to arrive on November 22, with a welcome reception scheduled at Villa Immorose.

The following day will feature closed-door engagements involving public officials, Congolese companies and mining executives before the official opening ceremony.

November 24 will be dedicated to panels, technical discussions, business meetings and exhibitions, followed by an awards gala, while the final day will feature further engagements, high-level interviews and business meetings before the closing ceremony.

Among the issues expected to feature prominently are taxation and the sharing of mining revenues, transport corridors and logistics, electricity supply, environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, artisanal mining, employment and skills development, innovation and technology transfer, and the participation of women in the mining sector.

The organisers have also created a dedicated Makutano Mining Deal Room, known as the Salle des Accords, for closed-door negotiations on projects and partnerships.

A separate "Signature Moment" will provide an opportunity for participants to publicly announce agreements reached during the forum.

DRC’s strategic role in critical minerals

The choice of Kinshasa as the host city reflects the DRC's importance to the global mining industry.

The DRC was the world's leading producer of mined cobalt in 2025, accounting for approximately 73 per cent of global production, while also ranking as the world's second-largest copper producer.

Its mineral resources place the country at the centre of global supply chains for materials considered important to the energy transition.

The organisers say the DRC's position in global mineral production means that decisions concerning the development and industrialisation of its mining sector have implications beyond its borders.

For Ghana, the participation of President Mahama is expected to provide an opportunity for the country to share its experience in areas including gold value addition, local content and mining sector governance.

High-level participation

A number of senior officials and industry executives have been announced as participants.

They include DRC Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba; Bas-Uélé Governor Mike-David Mokeni Amisi; ANAPI Director General Rachel Pungu; Mining Cadastre (CAMI) Director General Popol Mabolia; and Enterprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) Director General Eric Kalala.

Others are FOMIN Chairman Kalaa Mpinga; ARSP Director General Ted Beleshay; Gécamines SA CEO Baraka Kabemba; TMB Director General Yannick Mbiya; and Kibali Gold Country Director Cyrille Mutombo.

Also expected are Glencore DRC CEO Marie-Chantal Kaninda; Sicomines CEO Li Sheng; Mayfair Director General Gaudens Kanamugire; DRC Gold Trading SA Director General Joseph Kazibaziba; United Mining Supply founder Fadi Wazni; and PABEA-Cobalt Coordinator Alice Mirimo.

Representatives from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank, Rio Tinto and Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) are also expected to participate.

The organisers said the list of participants would continue to be updated ahead of the forum.

Founded in 2015 by Nicole Sulu, the Makutano Network brings together African business leaders, investors and public officials to promote economic cooperation, investment and value creation.

With Makutano Mining, the network is turning its attention to a sector that remains central to Africa's economic prospects, with the forum seeking to promote greater local processing, investment, employment and industrial development from the continent's mineral resources.