DRC’s Prime Minister Urges Responsible Mining Investment at Mining Indaba 2024
During the DRC Breakfast held alongside the 30th edition of the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2024, Prime Minister Jean Michel Sama Lukonde urged mining operators to prioritize responsible and sustainable investment for local development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Addressing over 300 attendees, including mining companies, service providers, and banks, Prime Minister Sama Lukonde emphasized the importance of benefiting local communities and improving investment conditions.
“In the name of His Excellency Mr. President of the Republic, I clearly indicated the vision of what is expected, first of all from our populations, because it’s about them first when we talk about profiting. And then it’s about you, from the country’s point of view,” stated Prime Minister Sama Lukonde.
He reassured mining operators that the Congolese government is committed to improving investment conditions, including tax and regulatory frameworks, to enhance the business climate.
“We want to listen to you, the players in the mining sector, to see how to improve conditions and allow your impact on local communities to be more effective,” emphasized Prime Minister Sama Lukonde.
He also stressed the importance of value addition, economic diversification, and job creation, particularly for Congolese youth and the population at large.
“We talk about added value every day. We want this added value because we want to benefit from and be less impacted by the markets. Today, I would not like to launch into a big speech. We are here to listen to you,” he added.
Prime Minister Sama Lukonde’s address was accompanied by government officials, including the Minister of State for ITPR, the Minister of Mines, and the Minister of Industry.
