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14 clusters · 23 sources · 74 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: POLITICS · BUSINESS · INTERNATIONAL · CULTURE

DRC reforms and infrastructure push 2026

Entities: Jean‑Pierre Lihau · Félix Tshisekedi · Blaise Mastaky Birindwa · Roxane de Bilderling · Enabel

Overview

July 2026 saw the Democratic Republic of Congo accelerate its reform agenda across several sectors. On 7 July Governor Daniel Bumba inaugurated the new Mining Cadastre headquarters in Kinshasa and Vice‑Premier Jean‑Pierre Lihau laid the foundation for a provincial CNSSAP office in Inongo, while the government created the Congolese Water Office to manage freshwater resources. Retail giant Vinmart opened three industrial plants in Lubumbashi, projected to generate up to 25 000 direct jobs. The state also began preparations for the second General Population and Housing Census, slated to start in August and run for three years with funding from the national treasury, the World Bank, AfDB and UN agencies.

Infrastructure momentum continued with the MetroKin urban rail project. On 16 July Vice‑Prime Minister and Transport Minister Jean‑Pierre Bemba chaired a coordination meeting in Kinshasa, confirming that feasibility studies are complete, financing secured and the next steps involve contracting and clearing the corridor to N’Djili airport. The following day officials announced a contract to develop the 20 MW Mbombo hydro‑electric plant on the Lulua River near Kananga, aimed at raising local electrification from below 1 % to a stable supply for households, artisans and industry.

Public‑administration reforms deepened through bilateral cooperation. In late July, Vice‑Prime Minister for Public Service Jean‑Pierre Lihau met Belgian Ambassador Roxane de Bilderling in Kinshasa to review the rollout of provincial branches of the National School of Administration (ENA‑RDC) and other civil‑service professionalisation projects supported by Belgium’s Enabel agency. Simultaneously, the Congolese Promotion Fund prepared an Industrial Investment Conference in Brussels, targeting investors and the diaspora to showcase Congo’s industrial potential.

These coordinated actions reinforce President Félix Tshisekedi’s diversification strategy, linking regulatory reforms, infrastructure development and international partnerships to broaden the economy and improve public services.

Timeline

  1. 2 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Congo and Belgium boost public administration reforms and industrial investment

    Belgium reaffirmed support for DRC public‑service reforms while the Congolese Promotion Fund readied a Brussels industrial investment conference, highlighting deeper bilateral economic cooperation.

  2. 13 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Congo advances major transport and power infrastructure projects

    Congo pushes forward the MetroKin urban rail project in Kinshasa and the 20 MW Mbombo hydro‑electric plant in Kasaï Central, securing funding and coordination for both developments.

  3. 16 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Democratic Republic of Congo begins preparations for second national census

    DRC prepares its second population and housing census, the first since 1984, with $193 million funding and UN support, aiming to guide health, education and infrastructure reforms.

  4. 24 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Congo launches new mining cadastre headquarters and provincial social security office

    In Congo, Governor Daniel Bumba opened a new mining cadastre headquarters in Kinshasa, while Vice‑Premier Jean‑Pierre Lihau began construction of a provincial social security office in Inongo.

  5. 24 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Democratic Republic of Congo establishes national water office and Vinmart opens new industrial plants

    Congo creates a national water office to manage its vast resources while Vinmart opens three industrial plants in Lubumbashi, creating up to 25,000 direct jobs.

  6. 27 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    DRC restores cross‑border trade with Rwanda and launches Air Congo flights to Europe

    The DRC reopened the Goma‑Gisenyi border with Rwanda, reviving trade, and Air Congo resumed Kinshasa‑Brussels flights via an Ethiopian wet‑lease, bypassing EU restrictions.

  7. 28 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Democratic Republic of Congo celebrates 66th independence with unity appeal and 1xBet greetings

    The DRC’s 66th independence day featured an appeal for unity by expert Coco Engongolo and congratulations from betting firm 1xBet.

  8. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Democratic Republic of Congo Completes June Payroll and Declares June 30 Paid Holiday

    DRC finalizes June 2026 public‑sector payroll and declares June 30 a paid holiday for the 66th independence anniversary.

  9. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    DRC Pushes Trade Corridors and Launches Kinshasa Stock Exchange

    The DRC approved a $17.5 million 2026 budget for the Great Lakes trade corridor project and, with the IFC, signed an agreement to launch the Kinshasa Stock Exchange, aiming to boost cross‑border trade and a new

  10. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Democratic Republic of Congo posts modest budget surplus of 36.1 billion CDF

    DR Congo posted a modest 36.1 billion CDF budget surplus for the period to 11 June 2026, with revenues marginally outpacing spending, signaling fiscal stability amid rising expenditure needs.

  11. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    DRC Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba Launches National Stock Market

    DRC Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba announces a national stock exchange to mobilise savings, attract investment and broaden wealth creation, backed by new investor protection rules.

  12. about 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Democratic Republic of Congo adopts national land plan and advances Kinshasa stock‑exchange legislation

    The DRC cabinet approved a 2026‑2040 National Land Plan, while the finance minister pushed a bill to create a Kinshasa stock exchange and strengthen market regulation.

  13. about 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    African Science Ministries Advance Agricultural Research and Constitutional Review Initiatives

    Gabon’s science minister inspected experimental farms to boost food self‑sufficiency, while the DRC’s education ministry launched a three‑city colloquium to scientifically assess its 2006 constitution.

  14. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Democratic Republic of Congo adopts new science and technology law

    DRC parliament passes a new law to modernise its scientific research sector, proposed by Deputy Dorothée Madiya.

Sources

actualite.cd · agpgabon.ga · arts.cd · congoprofond.net · congorassure.cd · drcactu.cd · ecofinagency.com · foxtime.cd · haberra.com · ieom.fr · infosgabon.com · journaldesnations.net · knsiradio.com · laprunellerdc.cd · lebarometre.cd · prensa-latina.cu · pressafrik.com · rfi.fr · rtnc.cd · rufinoweb.com.ar · times.cd · yabisonews.cd · zoom-eco.net