U.S. Ambassador Highlights Challenges in DRC’s Business Climate at Kinshasa Workshop
At a recent workshop in Kinshasa, U.S. Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn outlined the challenges facing the business climate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), stressing that some large international companies are reluctant to invest in the country due to concerns over its reputation.
The event, which brought together government officials, private sector leaders, and civil society members, focused on creating a national action plan for the DRC.
Ambassador Tamlyn highlighted the importance of the Human Rights and Security Volunteers initiative, established in 2000, which seeks to ensure that companies in extractive industries—such as mining and oil—adhere to human rights standards and promote responsible investment.
She emphasized the principles behind this initiative, including training for public and private security forces and establishing systems for investigating and reporting human rights violations.
With mining being the cornerstone of the DRC’s economy and a major source of employment, Tamlyn noted that these principles are particularly relevant to the country.
She pointed to the poor conditions in mining operations, questioning how the DRC can manage the dangerous and unregulated invasions of private mining sites when surrounding communities live in extreme poverty.
She also raised concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable workers, including young people and pregnant women, who often work in hazardous conditions for as little as a dollar a day.
Tamlyn explained that the voluntary principles aim to provide a framework for addressing these challenges, one that involves cooperation between the government, industry, and communities—stakeholders whose voices are often overlooked in decision-making processes.
During the workshop, participants began working on the creation of a national action plan that will make compliance with these principles a nationwide standard.
Once finalized, this roadmap will guide mining stakeholders toward a unified approach to human rights protection, benefiting local communities and improving the overall business environment.
The Ambassador reiterated that the U.S. supports Congolese-led solutions to these complex issues and urged the country to capitalize on the opportunity to create a more stable, sustainable, and profitable mining sector.
By doing so, the DRC could attract more international investment, while enhancing the dignity, security, and prosperity of its people.
