Kinshasa, May 19th, 2025 (CPA). – Economic, industrial and technological partnerships for the benefit of the development of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been strengthened by the Minister of Industry and SME Development during his official mission to Italy, the CPA learnt on Monday in a press release. ‘The aim of the mission by the Minister for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Industry is to strengthen economic, industrial and technological partnerships for the benefit of Congolese development,’ read the statement from the ministry. According to the source, the minister’s first stop was at the glassware factory, a symbol of precision and the transmission of know-how. ‘Minister Watum immersed himself in the techniques used by the Italian craftsmen, with a view to adapting their expertise to the Congolese context, particularly in the arts and crafts and the promotion of local glass’, the document said. The source said that the minister and his delegation then visited the state-of-the-art agri-food industry, where they were able to identify concrete solutions for the local processing of agricultural products in the DRC, with a view to food sovereignty and the creation of added value. Minister Watum Kabamba met a number of Italian entrepreneurs active in the health, agriculture, vocational training, digital technology and energy sectors. The discussions were rich in prospects for innovative partnerships.
Signing of a memorandum of understanding
The same document also revealed that a memorandum of understanding had been signed between the Minister for SMEs and the Italian Federation of Training and Vocational Guidance Organizations (Federformazione), represented by its President, Prof Laura Mazza. He also pointed out that the memorandum is based on four key areas: the transfer of technology and expertise, the modernisation of production chains, the development of Congolese natural resources and, finally, support for industrial development and SMEs by financing projects and setting up local production units. Training and capacity-building, with exchange programs for Congolese engineers, technicians and young entrepreneurs, and the promotion of Italian investment in the DRC, with a view to stimulating the establishment of industries in the special economic zones, are also associated with it. He pointed out that with this strategic partnership, the DRC is taking a decisive step towards industrialization, through Minister Louis Watum Kabamba’s vision of making industry a pillar of the country’s structural transformation.