Title: Renegotiation of mining contracts, development of the agricultural sector, the Congolese Minister of Finance unveils the government’s economic projects
Introduction: The Congolese Minister of Finance, Nicolas Kazadi, discusses the major economic issues underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a recent interview with RFI, he takes stock of the efforts made by the government to renegotiate mining contracts, promote the development of the agricultural sector and diversify the country’s economy.
Renegotiation of mining contracts:
Nicolas Kazadi underlines the importance of renegotiating mining contracts so that the country can take full advantage of its natural resources. The minister says that contract management is now transparent, which has led to an improvement in the DRC’s rating with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). However, he insists that the aim is not to return to a period when the state controlled the mining sector, but rather to ensure that mining activity and taxation contribute to the diversification of the economy.
Development of the agricultural sector:
The minister recognizes that the agricultural sector in the DRC has been neglected in favor of mining. However, he affirms that the government is determined to restore the competitiveness of this sector by creating conditions conducive to agricultural development. This includes restoring essential infrastructure, such as transport infrastructure, as well as better governance. Nicolas Kazadi emphasizes that agriculture can play a key role in reducing dependence on food imports, thus helping to reduce trade balance imbalances and combat inflation.
Diversification of the economy:
The Minister of Finance insists on the importance of diversifying the Congolese economy to escape excessive dependence on the mining sector. He points out that this sector still represents more than 40% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), while agriculture only represents 20%. To encourage this diversification, the government intends to accelerate the financing of infrastructure, in particular by using revenues from mining activity. This will support other sectors, such as agriculture, and boost economic growth more broadly.
Conclusion :
Nicolas Kazadi highlights the efforts of the Congolese government to renegotiate mining contracts, develop the agricultural sector and diversify the country’s economy. He affirms that these actions are essential to consolidate the new momentum underway in the DRC and to guarantee transparent and beneficial management of the country’s natural resources.. As the presidential election approaches, the Minister of Finance remains optimistic about the economic future of the DRC and counts on transparency and competitiveness to attract investments and promote sustainable growth.