The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Minister of Mining, H.E. Louis Kabamba Watum, has reaffirmed the ministry’s partnership with DRC Mining Week, highlighting the event’s importance as a strategic platform for driving investment, strengthening industry collaboration and advancing sustainable growth in the country’s mining sector.
Speaking ahead of the 2026 edition of DRC Mining Week, Kabamba emphasised the government’s continued commitment to the platform, describing it as a key forum for engaging investors, industry stakeholders and policymakers in advancing the country’s vast mineral potential.
The event, scheduled to take place in Lubumbashi, brings together mining operators, global investors, technology providers and government leaders to shape the future of mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Kabamba highlighted the importance of partnerships in unlocking the country’s resources, noting that collaboration between government and industry remains central to the DRC’s mining strategy.
“The DRC Mining Week is a key platform for dialogue and partnership that supports the development of our mining sector,” Kabamba said, reaffirming the ministry’s backing of the event.
He added that the government is focused on building long-term relationships with investors that go beyond extraction to include infrastructure development, skills transfer and value addition.
“The DRC is looking for long-term partners who will go beyond production to invest in exploration, infrastructure and workforce development,” Kabamba said.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to some of the world’s largest reserves of critical minerals, including cobalt, copper and lithium, which are essential for clean energy technologies and global supply chains. However, a significant portion of these resources remains underdeveloped, presenting opportunities for new investment.
Kabamba has previously noted that a large share of the country’s mineral wealth is yet to be fully explored, positioning the DRC as a major frontier for future mining projects.
DRC Mining Week plays a central role in connecting these opportunities with global capital, offering a platform for deal-making, policy discussions and the promotion of sustainable mining practices. The event also highlights the government’s efforts to create a more favourable regulatory environment and attract responsible investment.
Industry stakeholders view the partnership between the Ministry of Mines and DRC Mining Week as critical to strengthening investor confidence and showcasing the country’s commitment to transparency and sector reform.
The 2026 edition is expected to build on previous events by shifting focus from dialogue to implementation, as the country seeks to translate investment interest into concrete projects.
Beyond investment promotion, the event also supports broader goals of local economic development, including job creation, skills development and the growth of local enterprises within the mining value chain.
Kabamba reiterated that platforms such as DRC Mining Week are essential in aligning government priorities with industry needs and ensuring that the benefits of the mining sector are shared more widely across the population.
With global demand for critical minerals rising, the DRC is positioning itself as a key player in the energy transition, leveraging partnerships such as DRC Mining Week to attract capital and expertise needed to unlock its full potential.