DRC Reviews Community Development Fund from Mining Companies

DRC Launches Review of 0.3% Mining Revenue Fund for Community Development Projects

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has launched a national workshop in Kinshasa to assess the performance of specialized bodies responsible for managing the 0.3% contribution from mining companies’ turnover dedicated to community development projects.

The workshop, officially opened on March 13, 2026, will run until March 16 and aims to review the implementation of projects financed through this mechanism before the appointment of new members to the management structures.

Government Oversight of Mining Community Funds

The opening ceremony was chaired by Eve Bazaiba Masudi, Minister of State for Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity, and Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines.

Both ministers serve as co-chairs of the Supervisory, Guidance, Monitoring and Control Committee, the body responsible for overseeing the management of the 0.3% mining revenue allocation.

The workshop brings together members of the Specialized Endowment Management Bodies (OS-DOT) and experts from the supervisory committee to evaluate how effectively these institutions are managing the funds and implementing community development projects.

Mining Sector’s Role in National Development

During his address, Minister Watum emphasized that the mining sector remains one of the cornerstones of the Congolese economy, playing a critical role in economic growth, job creation, and public revenue generation.

He explained that the 0.3% allocation from mining companies’ turnover is designed to ensure that communities affected by mining operations benefit directly from the country’s mineral wealth.

The minister called for a rigorous and transparent evaluation of the specialized bodies managing the fund in order to identify operational challenges and recommend reforms that could strengthen their effectiveness.

Progress of Community Projects

According to official figures presented during the workshop:

• 46 specialized management bodies have been created across five provinces:
  • Haut-Katanga
  • Lualaba
  • Haut-Uélé
  • Kasaï Oriental
  • North Kivu
• 43 of these bodies are currently operational
• In terms of project implementation:

• 485 projects have been approved
• 222 projects have been completed
• 169 projects are currently under implementation
• 41 projects are in the procurement stage
• 53 projects have yet to be launched

Strengthening Governance and Transparency

The workshop is expected to produce recommendations aimed at improving governance, transparency, and efficiency in managing the 0.3% community development fund.

Authorities say the initiative is part of broader efforts to ensure that revenues from the mining sector contribute directly to the sustainable development of communities living near mining operations.

The program aligns with the development vision of President Félix Tshisekedi and is being implemented under the coordination of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka.

Through this mechanism, the government hopes to strengthen the redistribution of mineral wealth and promote inclusive development across mining regions in the country.