DRC Prioritizes Local Entrepreneurs in Economic Strategy During Angola Visit
DRC Champions Local Entrepreneurs as Catalysts for Economic Growth
The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is intensifying its efforts to make local entrepreneurs the cornerstone of its national economic strategy.
During an official visit to Angola, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy, Daniel Mukoko Samba, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering the Congolese private sector as a key player in the country’s development trajectory.
“For the DRC, the best way to access the Congolese market is through local entrepreneurs,” said Mukoko Samba after a strategic meeting with executives from Mota-Engil Angola, a major player in construction, engineering, and waste management.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the visit aimed to establish a platform for collaboration, encouraging dialogue that can align Congolese and Angolan business interests.
“Our mission is to create a framework for exchanges, identify converging ideas, and initiate projects of mutual interest. The Congolese private sector can become a true accelerator of our economic ambitions,” he added.
This initiative is part of a broader shift toward economic diplomacy, one that seeks win-win partnerships between the DRC and its regional counterparts.
Rather than relying solely on foreign operators, the Congolese government envisions foreign expertise complementing—rather than replacing—national capacity.
By positioning Congolese businesses at the forefront of regional and cross-border projects, the DRC aims to improve their access to markets, financing, technology, and skills development—laying the foundation for inclusive economic growth.
Industry analysts and private sector stakeholders see this policy orientation as a strategic inflection point. It addresses two core imperatives:
Anchoring investment locally to ensure it benefits Congolese communities
Building a resilient economic ecosystem that can absorb, transform, and redistribute wealth sustainably
However, experts caution that this vision can only be realized through deep structural reforms. These include:
Capacity building for local SMEs and entrepreneurs
Improved access to finance through tailored instruments
Streamlining administrative procedures to reduce barriers to entry
By leveraging the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of its people, the DRC hopes to redefine the role of the private sector—from a passive observer to an active driver of transformation.
As regional cooperation deepens, the government’s message is clear: local business is not just part of the economy—it is the engine.
