Drc president tshisekedi calls for moderation in mining tax collection to boost investment

President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has directed the nation’s tax authorities to scale back aggressive forced recovery actions against mining companies. He argues that such practices undermine the sector’s appeal to international investors, a crucial element for the country’s economic growth.

As the world’s leading producer of cobalt and Africa’s second-largest copper producer, the Democratic Republic of Congo relies heavily on these minerals for its export earnings. The Head of State has voiced strong disapproval of financial agencies for their recurring bank account seizures, asset freezes, and what he describes as unpredictable fiscal measures. These actions, he contends, significantly inflate operational costs for mining operators, diminish the sector’s competitive edge, and risk deterring much-needed foreign investment.

prioritizing dialogue over coercion

To rectify this situation, President Tshisekedi has instructed the Ministries of Economy, Finance, and Mines, alongside relevant financial bodies, to ensure all recovery efforts are firmly rooted in legal frameworks and deployed only as a last resort. He has also advocated for the primary use of dialogue, advance notification, and conciliation mechanisms, which are already enshrined in Congolese law.

Addressing his government, the President articulated his vision for a “competitive and transparent” mining industry. This vision is founded on a stable legal environment, predictable administrative decisions, and continuous engagement between the state and economic operators.

These presidential directives emerge amidst ongoing tensions between Kinshasa and several major multinational mining corporations. In 2025, the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) accused prominent groups, including China’s CMOC and Swiss trader Glencore, of under-reporting billions of dollars in revenue. This alleged under-declaration would have reduced their contributions to state development funds. The implicated companies, however, vehemently denied these allegations.

Just days before President Tshisekedi issued his instructions, Congolese tax authorities had temporarily closed Glencore’s local offices due to an unresolved tax dispute. The Swiss group recently reiterated its commitment to ongoing discussions with authorities while maintaining that it had not committed any irregularities. It remains unclear whether President Tshisekedi’s directives are directly linked to this specific incident, as the presidency did not immediately respond to inquiries.

In a separate, equally significant instruction, the Head of State mandated the immediate withdrawal of military and police personnel unlawfully present on mining sites. He emphasized that their unauthorized presence fuels fraud, smuggling, and insecurity, thereby damaging the Democratic Republic of Congo’s international reputation among potential foreign investors.