President Tshisekedi calls for restraint in mining tax enforcement
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi has instructed fiscal authorities to curb aggressive tax recovery measures against mining companies, warning that such actions could deter foreign investment in the sector. The directive follows a recent cabinet meeting in Kinshasa, where the president highlighted concerns over repeated bank account seizures, asset freezes, and unpredictable fiscal policies.
As the world’s top cobalt producer and Africa’s second-largest copper supplier, the DRC relies heavily on revenue from these minerals. Tshisekedi criticized financial regulators for imposing burdensome operational costs on miners, compromising the sector’s competitiveness and discouraging investment.
Prioritizing dialogue over coercion
The president has tasked the Ministries of Economy, Finance, and Mines, along with financial regulators, to ensure tax recovery measures are legally sound and implemented only in exceptional cases. He emphasized the need for transparent communication, advance notifications, and mediation mechanisms as outlined in Congolese law to resolve disputes.
Addressing government officials, Tshisekedi outlined his vision for a competitive and transparent mining industry, supported by stable regulations, predictable administrative decisions, and sustained collaboration between the state and economic operators.
These instructions come amid ongoing tensions between Kinshasa and several multinational mining firms. Last year, the General Inspectorate of Finance accused major companies, including China’s CMOC and Switzerland’s Glencore, of underreporting revenues by billions of dollars, thereby reducing contributions to state development funds. The accused firms denied the allegations.
Days before the president’s announcement, Congolese tax authorities temporarily shuttered Glencore’s local offices over a fiscal dispute. The Swiss company reaffirmed its commitment to engaging with authorities while denying any wrongdoing. The timing of Tshisekedi’s directive remains unclear, as the presidency has not addressed whether it is linked to the Glencore case.
In a separate move, the president ordered the immediate withdrawal of military and police personnel illegally stationed at mining sites. He argued that their presence fuels fraud, smuggling, and insecurity while damaging the DRC’s reputation among potential investors.