The final day of the DRC Mining Week 2025, held on Friday, 13 June, brought together government leaders, industry players, young entrepreneurs, and global diplomats for a powerful close to the annual event in Lubumbashi.
On Thursday, H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Industry and Development of Small and Medium Enterprises, delivered a rousing keynote at the main plenary, reinforcing the government’s commitment to an inclusive and sustainable industrial future for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
His speech called for deeper collaboration between the state, the private sector, and communities—setting a confident and determined tone that carried through the day’s discussions.
Among the day’s headline sessions was the Ambassadors Forum, an exclusive event that convened foreign missions, policy influencers, and strategic partners in the Bukavu Room.
The forum facilitated high-level dialogue around investment frameworks and sustainability while offering opportunities for bilateral growth discussions. It was described as “building bridges, one conversation at a time,” with several handshakes hinting at potential long-term partnerships.
Youth engagement was also a major highlight through the Young Entrepreneurs Programme (YEP), which gave the stage to some of the country’s brightest young innovators.
Scheduled in the main plenary, the session allowed emerging leaders to pitch bold ideas in mining innovation and entrepreneurship, emphasizing their role in shaping the sector’s future.
In the afternoon, the spotlight shifted to gender inclusion through the Women in Mining and Leadership Forum, also hosted in the Bukavu Room. This invitation-only event brought together trailblazing women in the industry, who shared candid stories, career-building advice, and practical leadership strategies.
The forum went beyond traditional diversity talks to deliver what organizers called a “masterclass” in what happens when women lead from the front.
As the curtain fell on the week-long event, stakeholders gathered for the Gala Dinner, the official closing ceremony. Held in a relaxed and festive setting, the dinner celebrated the progress made over three days of intensive dialogue, networking, and collaboration.
Guests included senior government officials, corporate leaders, and development partners, all united in their shared vision for a more dynamic and inclusive mining sector in the DRC.
Day three may have marked the end of the 2025 edition, but for many, it signaled the beginning of new partnerships and initiatives. As emerging voices and experienced leaders took the spotlight, the DRC Mining Week reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for transformation in one of Africa’s most resource-rich nations.
