Category: Ecology

The economic forum between the DRC and Angola being held in Kinshasa represents a valuable opportunity to strengthen economic ties between the two neighboring countries. This two-day event focuses on the free movement of people and capital, the fight against fraud and cross-border smuggling, as well as the development of transport infrastructure and communication routes. This meeting, politically supported by Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Joao Lourenço, raises high expectations and offers promising prospects for the economic development of the two nations. Participants, whether economic players, businessmen or government representatives, will have the opportunity to create partnerships and stimulate bilateral investments. This forum sends a strong signal of the desire of the two countries to work together to promote economic growth, regional integration and stability in the region. In short, this meeting is of capital importance for the strengthening of economic and political relations between the DRC and Angola, opening the way to new opportunities for cooperation and development.

The construction of the Nzolana road in Kinshasa is progressing rapidly, with an execution rate of almost 50%. The Minister of State, Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works, was satisfied with the progress of the work and wishes to deliver the road before May 2024. Sanitation measures are also being taken to combat erosion. The Minister of State welcomed the cooperation of the population and also visited the construction site of the cultural and artistic center of Central African countries, where work is progressing at a rate of nearly 85%. The construction of this road is of capital importance for opening up the city of Kinshasa.

Remittances from African migrants reach a record $97 billion in 2022, surpassing official development assistance and foreign direct investment. Egypt, Nigeria and Morocco are among the largest recipient countries. However, remittances are underestimated due to informal channels and high costs. It is crucial to reduce these costs and encourage productive investments to maximize their impact on the African economy. This will stimulate development and create opportunities for local people.

State Portfolio Enterprises in the Democratic Republic of Congo struggle to create wealth and contribute little to the country’s economy. The Public Expenditure Observatory and COGEP organized a workshop to discuss the mechanisms for enriching the law on the organization and management of the State Portfolio. Public enterprises are supposed to create wealth, but they have become a financial burden on the state. The objective of this workshop is to propose improvements to the 2008 law in order to increase the contribution of public enterprises to wealth creation. The project also aims to promote transparency and fight corruption in the management of public companies in the DRC.

The Congolese government is mobilizing to quickly relaunch the activities of the National Aviation Company Congo Airways. Following the temporary interruption of the company’s operations, the Prime Minister called an urgent meeting to find solutions. The Minister of Transport stressed the importance of regularizing controls and sustaining operations, while the Director General of Congo Airways mentioned the search for solutions, in particular through the acquisition of two rental aircraft. This mobilization demonstrates the importance given to the revival of the company for the economy and travel safety. Concrete measures are expected to allow activities to resume under the best conditions.

The Congolese government is launching a project to boost the cassava sector in the DRC by promoting the use of cassava flour in bread making. This initiative aims to reduce wheat imports, save money and create local jobs. However, it is important to combine cassava with other cereals to obtain a balanced diet. Despite these challenges, this initiative is an opportunity to sustainably develop the cassava sector and improve food security in the DRC.

The airline Congo Airways is facing financial difficulties and has announced a “temporary suspension” of its activities. All three planes in its fleet are currently out of service, requiring costly repairs. The company is considering leasing planes to avoid a long period of inactivity, but this represents a significant cost. Congo Airways is also seeking to reduce its operational costs. Despite these challenges, management remains optimistic about a resumption of operations in the next 15 days. The situation highlights the challenges facing airlines in a difficult economic environment.

The rehabilitation of National Road No. 4 in the Democratic Republic of Congo is about to begin, thanks to the signing of a contract between the Congolese government and the China Construction Company. This project aims to asphalt 840 kilometers of road, which will improve connectivity between several provinces and facilitate trade with Uganda and Kenya. This rehabilitation will open new economic prospects for the eastern region of the DRC, by promoting the transport of goods and interconnecting the road with the Congo River. This project demonstrates the Congolese government’s desire to develop infrastructure and strengthen international economic relations.