The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has directed fiscal authorities to scale back aggressive tax recovery actions against mining companies, warning that such measures undermine investor confidence in the sector. The directive follows a cabinet meeting in Kinshasa, where the Head of State emphasized the need to balance revenue collection with economic stability.
As the world’s leading cobalt producer and Africa’s second-largest copper supplier, the DRC relies heavily on mineral exports for foreign exchange earnings. Tshisekedi criticized repeated bank account seizures, asset freezes, and unpredictable tax policies, arguing that these practices inflate operational costs, erode sector competitiveness, and risk deterring foreign investment.
Prioritizing dialogue over coercion
In response, the President instructed the Ministries of Economy, Finance, and Mines, along with relevant revenue agencies, to ensure that any tax recovery measures are legally sound and applied only in exceptional cases. He urged a shift toward structured dialogue, advance notifications, and mediation as outlined in national legislation, aiming to foster a more predictable and transparent mining environment.
Tshisekedi outlined a vision for a mining sector that is both competitive and transparent, built on stable laws, consistent administrative decisions, and ongoing engagement between the government and industry stakeholders. This shift comes amid ongoing disputes between Kinshasa and several multinational mining firms.
In 2025, the Inspectorate General of Finance accused major companies—including China’s CMOC and Switzerland’s Glencore—of underreporting revenues by billions of dollars, reducing contributions to state development funds. Both firms denied the allegations. Shortly before the President’s announcement, local tax authorities had shuttered Glencore’s offices in the DRC amid a tax dispute. The company reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the matter while rejecting any wrongdoing, though no direct link to the President’s directive has been confirmed.
In a separate move, Tshisekedi ordered the immediate withdrawal of military and police personnel stationed illegally at mining sites. He cited concerns that such deployments fuel smuggling, fraud, and insecurity while damaging the DRC’s reputation among international investors.
