The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has directed fiscal authorities to curb aggressive tax recovery measures against mining companies, warning that such tactics undermine investor confidence in the sector. This directive follows a cabinet meeting in Kinshasa, where the head of state emphasized the need to safeguard the country’s economic appeal to foreign investors.
As the world’s top cobalt producer and Africa’s second-largest copper exporter, the DRC relies heavily on mining revenues. Tshisekedi criticized repeated bank account seizures, asset freezes, and unpredictable tax policies, arguing that these actions inflate operational costs, weaken sector competitiveness, and threaten future investments.
Prioritizing dialogue over coercion
To address these concerns, the President instructed the Ministries of Economy, Finance, and Mines, along with tax agencies, to ensure that any recovery actions are legally justified and applied only in exceptional cases. He also advocated for stronger adherence to existing legal frameworks, including advance notifications, mediation processes, and structured dialogues between the government and mining operators.
Tshisekedi’s vision calls for a mining industry that is both competitive and transparent, built on stable regulations, predictable administrative decisions, and continuous engagement with investors.
The move comes amid ongoing disputes between Kinshasa and several multinational mining firms. In 2025, the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) accused major players, including China’s CMOC and Switzerland’s Glencore, of underreporting revenues by billions of dollars, reducing contributions to national development funds. The companies denied the allegations.
Days before the presidential directive, Congolese tax authorities shuttered Glencore’s local offices over a tax dispute. The Swiss group reiterated its commitment to resolving the matter while denying any wrongdoing. It remains unclear whether Tshisekedi’s orders were directly linked to this case, as the presidency has not yet responded to inquiries.
In a separate but related instruction, the President ordered the immediate withdrawal of military and police personnel illegally stationed at mining sites. He asserted that such presence fuels fraud, smuggling, and instability while damaging the DRC’s reputation among foreign investors.
