DRC to Audit State Interests in Mining Sector Amid Transparency Concerns
In response to mounting pressure on public finances, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to audit the state’s shareholdings in mining companies. During the Council of Ministers meeting held on May 30, 2025, President Félix Tshisekedi called for the swift establishment of an ad hoc commission to undertake this task, according to the official report from the session.
The commission, to be coordinated by the Ministries of Finance, Mines, and State Portfolio, will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive audit of mining assets under state ownership. It will also evaluate the governance of these companies and recommend corrective measures to improve the state’s role and oversight in the sector.
According to the government, the move is aimed at addressing what it describes as an “unacceptable” lack of transparency and accountability. “The situation within mining joint ventures, where the state is expected to play a strategic role, remains alarmingly opaque.
This lack of transparency undermines good governance in the extractive sector and hampers efforts to maximize public revenue,” the Council of Ministers’ report stated.
Back in a previous Council of Ministers meeting on November 19, 2021, President Tshisekedi had already called for a systematic review of public mining assets. That review was expected to identify assets resulting from sublease agreements, assess revenues owed to the national treasury, and scrutinize the appointment processes and legitimacy of state representatives in these companies. Nearly three years later, crucial information regarding the state’s actual representation in mining firms remains insufficient.
President Tshisekedi stressed that the management of mining resources is not only vital for the country’s economic sovereignty but also represents a responsibility toward future generations. As such, it must be conducted with integrity, discipline, and a strong sense of public interest.
SOURCE:bankable.africa
