Lualaba Governor Calls for Economic Transformation at KBM 2026 in Kolwezi
Lualaba Governor Fifi Masuka Urges Shift from Raw Mineral Exports to Local Industrialisation at KBM 2026
At the opening of the 7th edition of the Katanga Business Meeting (KBM 2026), held on 20 May in Kolwezi, Governor Fifi Masuka of Lualaba Province called for a structural transformation of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s economic model.
The event, which brought together investors, mining companies, and development partners under the theme “Investing in a sustainable future for a winning Africa,” focused on the need to move beyond an extractive economy reliant on raw mineral exports.
Governor Masuka stressed that the current economic structure, heavily dependent on exporting unprocessed natural resources, is increasingly unsustainable and limits the country’s ability to capture full value from its vast mineral wealth.
She noted that the Democratic Republic of Congo is at a critical turning point, with global attention on its resources creating both opportunity and responsibility.
According to her, the country must transition from an extractive model to a transformative economy driven by industrialisation, value addition, and inclusive growth.
A central message of her address was the need to develop local processing capacity for minerals such as copper and cobalt, which are abundant in Lualaba Province.
By expanding domestic refining and industrial infrastructure, she argued, the country could retain more value locally, generate skilled employment, and accelerate long-term economic development.
Governor Masuka highlighted ongoing initiatives in infrastructure development, energy expansion, digital financial services, logistics, and industrialisation, all aimed at strengthening Lualaba’s economic base.
She emphasised that the province should not be viewed solely as a mining region, but rather as an emerging industrial, logistics, technological, and agricultural hub capable of supporting broader national growth.
Economic diversification was another key pillar of her message. She called for greater investment in agriculture, tourism, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), arguing that mining revenues should be used to build a more resilient and inclusive economy.
Particular emphasis was placed on youth employment, women’s economic empowerment, skills development, and the promotion of local innovation.
The Governor also underlined that sustainable transformation depends on a stable and predictable business environment. She called for strengthened investor confidence through fiscal and legal stability, improved energy access, secure investment conditions, and simplified administrative procedures.
Addressing companies already operating in Lualaba, Governor Masuka urged them to play a more active role in local development and in fostering a diversified economic ecosystem beyond mining.
Her remarks positioned KBM 2026 as a strategic platform for advancing industrial transformation in the Greater Katanga region and reinforcing Lualaba’s role as a key driver of national economic growth in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
