DR Congo’s Tshisekedi Urges Fair Revenue Enforcement to Protect Mining Investment

President Félix Tshisekedi has called on state revenue agencies to avoid aggressive enforcement actions against mining companies, warning that unpredictable tax measures could undermine investor confidence in one of Africa’s most important mining jurisdictions.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is seeking to strike a balance between increasing government revenues from its vast mineral resources and maintaining an attractive investment climate for international mining companies.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting, President Félix Tshisekedi instructed tax authorities and government agencies to exercise restraint when enforcing fiscal regulations, emphasising that excessive measures could weaken the country’s competitiveness as a global mining destination.

The directive comes at a time when the DRC is strengthening oversight of its mining sector while seeking to attract continued investment in copper, cobalt and other critical minerals.

Government Calls for Predictable Mining Regulation

According to cabinet directives, Tshisekedi warned that repeated bank account seizures, asset freezes and unexpected fiscal enforcement actions were increasing operating costs for mining companies and creating uncertainty for investors.

He instructed the ministries responsible for finance, economy and mines, together with revenue agencies, to ensure enforcement actions are legally justified and used only in exceptional circumstances.

Instead, authorities have been encouraged to prioritise dialogue, notification procedures and dispute resolution mechanisms provided under Congolese law before resorting to punitive measures.

The government says a predictable legal and regulatory framework is essential to sustaining long-term investment in the country’s mining industry.

Mining Sector Remains Central to the Economy

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt and the second-largest producer of copper, making its mining industry a strategic supplier to global electric vehicle, renewable energy and battery manufacturing supply chains.

The sector remains one of the country’s most important sources of export earnings, foreign direct investment and government revenue.

In recent years, authorities have increased scrutiny of mining companies to ensure compliance with tax obligations and maximise national benefits from the country’s mineral wealth.

Revenue Collection and Investor Confidence

The latest directive follows ongoing tax disputes involving major international mining companies operating in the DRC.

Last week, tax authorities temporarily closed the local offices of commodities trader and mining company Glencore as part of a tax-related investigation.

The company has stated that it is cooperating with Congolese authorities while maintaining that it has acted in accordance with applicable laws.

The government has also previously examined revenue declarations by several large mining companies as part of broader efforts to improve transparency and strengthen public revenue collection from the extractive sector.

Tackling Illegal Activities Around Mining Operations

In a separate directive, President Tshisekedi ordered the removal of military and police personnel found to be operating illegally at mining sites.

According to the presidency, the unauthorised presence of security personnel has contributed to smuggling, fraud and insecurity in parts of the mining sector while negatively affecting the country’s investment reputation.

The government aims to strengthen governance across mining operations by reinforcing lawful oversight and improving transparency throughout the mineral value chain.

Balancing Resource Governance and Investment

The DRC continues to pursue reforms designed to maximise the economic benefits of its abundant mineral resources while maintaining the confidence of international investors.

With global demand for copper and cobalt expected to remain strong due to the energy transition and electric vehicle manufacturing, policymakers face increasing pressure to balance effective revenue collection with a stable and predictable investment environment.

Industry analysts say transparent regulation, consistent policy implementation and constructive engagement between government and mining companies will be critical to sustaining investment and reinforcing the Democratic Republic of Congo’s position as one of the world’s leading producers of critical minerals.