Congo mining regulations: president tshisekedi advocates balanced fiscal enforcement

Balancing fiscal recovery with investor confidence in Congo’s mining sector

President Félix Tshisekedi has directed Congolese tax authorities to scale back aggressive enforcement actions targeting mining companies, warning that such measures undermine the country’s appeal to foreign investors. The directive follows a cabinet meeting in Kinshasa, where the head of state emphasized the need to protect the sector’s stability and growth potential.

As the world’s top cobalt producer and Africa’s second-largest copper supplier, the Democratic Republic of the Congo relies heavily on mineral exports for its revenue. However, repeated account seizures, asset freezes, and unpredictable tax policies have raised concerns among operators about rising operational costs and shrinking competitiveness. President Tshisekedi has criticized these practices, stating they deter investment and weaken the sector’s long-term viability.

Prioritizing dialogue over coercion in tax enforcement

The president has instructed the Ministries of Economy, Finance, and Mines, along with relevant tax agencies, to ensure that any recovery measures are legally justified and applied only in exceptional cases. He advocates for a shift toward structured dialogue, advance notifications, and mediation mechanisms as outlined in national legislation.

In a broader vision for the mining industry, President Tshisekedi called for a stable, predictable, and transparent legal framework that fosters ongoing collaboration between the government and business operators. His approach aims to balance fiscal responsibility with an environment conducive to investment and sustainable development.

Addressing ongoing disputes with multinational miners

Tensions between Kinshasa and several major mining firms have intensified in recent months. Last year, the Inspectorate General of Finance accused companies including China’s CMOC and Switzerland’s Glencore of underreporting billions in revenue, thereby reducing their contributions to state development funds. While the accused firms have denied the allegations, the dispute has fueled regulatory scrutiny and operational disruptions.

Days before the presidential directive, Congolese tax authorities temporarily closed Glencore’s local offices amid a tax dispute. The company has since reiterated its commitment to resolving the matter through dialogue while rejecting claims of misconduct. The presidency has not clarified whether the president’s instructions were directly tied to this case.

In a separate move, President Tshisekedi ordered the immediate withdrawal of military and police personnel stationed illegally on mining sites. He cited concerns that their presence fuels smuggling, fraud, and insecurity while damaging the country’s reputation among foreign investors.