DRC’s Julien Paluku Promotes Investment Opportunities at MEDays Forum
Julien Paluku, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Minister of Foreign Trade, utilized the MEDays Forum in Tangier, Morocco, to highlight the country’s vast economic and industrial opportunities to Moroccan and international investors. His focus spanned trade, agribusiness, energy, and the growing battery and electric vehicle sectors.
Joined by Judith Suminwa, Head of the Congolese Government, Paluku underscored the DRC’s rich reserves of strategic minerals like cobalt and lithium, critical to the global energy transition.
He detailed efforts to improve the business climate, enhance infrastructure, and foster public-private partnerships to attract foreign investment.
Paluku emphasized the DRC’s potential as a gateway to major international markets, including the U.S., China, Europe, and India, bolstered by agreements like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Highlighting the complementary strengths of Moroccan and Congolese economies, he pointed to sectors such as agro-industry, energy, and manufacturing as prime areas for collaboration.
The DRC’s annual import level of $7 billion presents significant opportunities for industrial expansion. Paluku also referenced the Industrialization Master Plan, valued at $58.4 billion, which is designed to secure partnerships and funding for transformative projects.
During his address, Paluku advocated for balanced collaboration between state and private actors to ensure peace, stability, and sustainable growth.
He stressed that with strong planning and commitment, the DRC could achieve its National Strategic Development Plan 2024–2025 goals, propelling the nation toward economic emergence.
The MEDays Forum, centered on the theme “Sovereignty and Resilience: Towards a New Global Balance,” provided a platform for the DRC to forge partnerships and attract global investments, solidifying its role as a strategic player in Africa’s economic development.
