** Kinshasa, a bridge to Europe: the promising role of the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the Italian invitation **
On May 29, 2025, the political and economic scene of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was marked by a significant meeting between President Félix Tshisekedi and the Italian ambassador, Dino Sorrentino. The objective of this interview was to discuss the participation of the DRC in a major economic forum scheduled for June 22 in Rome. But beyond this simple invitation, it is essential to question the broader implications of such an event for the DRC, Italy, and Africa in general.
### A Strategic Forum
The forum in question is presented as a partnership of considerable scale, with an investment estimated at 150 billion euros, the fruit of a collaboration between Italy and the European Union. For the DRC, it could be an opportunity not only to attract investments, but also to highlight its strategic sectors, in particular infrastructure, digital and training. These areas are crucial for the development of the country, given its immense needs for modernization and expansion of public services.
Mr. Sorrentino’s declaration raises relevant questions about how the DRC could actually take advantage of this event. How can the country integrate into the global economic strategies that are discussed in Rome? What are the concrete expectations that the DRC can display to mobilize these investments in its favor and guarantee their lasting impact on its population?
### History of Congolese links
It is also notorious that this invitation occurs in a context where the DRC is increasingly seeking to strengthen its diplomatic and economic links with other nations. The recent visit to an emissary in the Congo Republic, for example, underlines the desire to consolidate relations between the two neighboring countries, which share not only borders but also common cultural and linguistic aspects.
However, it is crucial to remember that the history of the DRC is punctuated by challenges, often linked to governance, security and stability. Internal issues are always present, and the way in which the government addresses these important international meetings can either strengthen or complicate the perception of external partners.
### Outlook for the future
The participation of the Tshisekedi President in this forum could therefore be perceived as an assertion of the engagement of the DRC towards sustainable and integrated development. However, this desire must be accompanied by an introspective approach concerning the way in which resources and opportunities will be managed within the country. This raises another question: is the DRC ready to integrate such a sum of investment while respecting the standards of transparency and sustainability? What measures are taken to ensure that the profits do not only benefit an elite, but actually open new paths for the Congolese?
### Conclusion
At a time when opportunities are taking shape such as this economic forum, it is essential that the DRC is thinking about its development strategy. The reflection on how to maximize the profits of international partnerships, while respecting the rights and needs of its citizens, must be part of the long term. The actions taken in Kinshasa today could define the country’s economic trajectory for the decades to come. Cooperation with countries like Italy, supported by international commitments, is a step in the right direction, but it must be accompanied by a vigilance and determination to transform the different sectors in favor of a better future for all Congolese.