OPENING OF THE UK- DRC ECONOMIC FORUM IN LONDON
The UK–Democratic Republic of the Congo Economic Forum gets underway this Monday, 2 November 2026, in London, with the aim of strengthening trade, encouraging bilateral investment and turning discussions into bankable projects.
Speaking to British and Congolese business leaders at the UK Parliament, the Minister for Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya, highlighted the significant reforms undertaken by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to strengthen its integration into multilateral trade, including the digitisation of trade procedures, the ratification of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, improvements to the business climate through the phasing out of so-called ‘toxic’ taxes, and the endorsement of its trade policy by member states of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva on 30 October.
On this occasion, he invited British investors to come and capitalise on the business opportunities offered by the DRC in several sectors, including agriculture, mining, energy, infrastructure and tourism, whilst calling for the launch of a direct London–Kinshasa flight route, starting with cargo flights, to boost trade between the two countries, he added
For the Minister for Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, the United Kingdom’s support is vital in consolidating the Republic’s soft power, which is currently under attack from Rwanda and suffering the plundering of its natural resources – including minerals – as well as the massacres of civilians
And the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Noella Ayenaganato, added that the Congolese delegation had come to London to forge strong economic and diplomatic partnerships, which, she emphasised, is what sets this business forum apart
On the British business side, Lord Popat, former Special Envoy of the UK Prime Minister to Africa and former UK Trade Envoy to the DRC, and Baroness Sandip Verma, a Member of the House of Lords, reassured the Congolese Government and private sector that they should come and set up operations in the DRC, as they were attracted by the business opportunities the country offers.
It should be noted that this three-day conference, co-organised with Jean Bosco Kanyamesha’s KNG Strategy, will continue on Tuesday 3 November 2026 in London, featuring panel discussions and B2B meetings.
