President Tshisekedi calls for restraint in mineral sector tax enforcement
In a decisive move to safeguard the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s mining sector appeal, President Félix Tshisekedi has directed fiscal authorities to scale back aggressive tax collection tactics targeting mining companies. The directive, issued during a ministerial council meeting in Kinshasa, aims to prevent policies that could undermine investor confidence in the country’s vital mineral economy.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo stands as the world’s top cobalt producer and Africa’s second-largest copper exporter, making its mining sector a cornerstone of national revenue. However, the President has voiced concerns over repeated account seizures, asset freezes, and inconsistent tax enforcement that he says inflate operational costs, erode sector competitiveness, and deter foreign direct investment.
Prioritizing dialogue over confrontation
Under the new guidelines, the Ministries of Economy, Finance, and Mines, alongside fiscal regulators, have been instructed to ensure any tax recovery measures are legally sound and applied only in exceptional circumstances. President Tshisekedi emphasized the importance of adhering to existing legal frameworks, including prior notification, mediation, and conciliation mechanisms, to foster a more predictable and cooperative business environment.
Speaking before government officials, he outlined his vision for a competitive and transparent mining industry—one built on stable legal foundations, consistent administrative decisions, and continuous engagement between public authorities and business operators.
Ongoing disputes fuel regulatory scrutiny
These directives follow heightened tensions between Kinshasa and major mining multinationals. Last year, the General Inspectorate of Finance accused several companies, including Chinese firm CMOC and Swiss trader Glencore, of underreporting revenue by billions of dollars, thereby reducing contributions to state development funds. Both companies denied the allegations.
Just days before the presidential decree, Congolese tax authorities shuttered Glencore’s local offices amid a fiscal dispute. The company has since reiterated its commitment to resolving the matter through dialogue while denying any wrongdoing. Authorities have not confirmed whether the President’s instructions were directly tied to this incident, as no immediate response was provided regarding the matter.
In a separate but related directive, President Tshisekedi also ordered the immediate withdrawal of all military and police personnel unlawfully stationed at mining sites. He argued that such deployments contribute to fraud, smuggling, and insecurity while tarnishing the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s reputation among international investors.
