Kinshasa, June 18th, 2026 (CPA).- Congolese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were equipped on Wednesday in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga Province (southern Democratic Republic of Congo), to meet the growing requirements of the mining sector, particularly in terms of regulatory compliance, during a workshop held on the sidelines of DRC Mining Week, according to a statement received by CPA on Thursday. “The objective of this workshop is to equip Congolese SMEs so that they can effectively meet the increasing demands of the mining sector, particularly in terms of regulatory compliance, health, safety and environment (HSE), environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, as well as operational performance,” the organizers of the DRC Mining Week forum stated. According to the source, the meeting was co-organized by the Chamber of Mines of the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC) and the National Commission for Development and Transformation (CNDT), with the aim of strengthening the capacities of local companies expected to play a key role in the mining value chain. The statement indicates that the sessions featured several interventions, including those of Mr. Kassongo Bin Nassor, President of the Chamber of Mines; Mr. Denis Kalonji, President of the SME Professional Committee of Haut-Katanga; Mr. Onedy Tubazola, President of the Local Content Commission; and Me Dignité Bwiza, representative of the Women Entrepreneurs’ Professional Committee. According to the organizers, the discussions enabled participants to better understand the standards required by mining companies and to identify the challenges faced by local SMEs in accessing opportunities within the extractive sector. “The exchanges also facilitated the sharing of practical experiences between mining stakeholders and local entrepreneurs, in a dynamic aimed at strengthening local content and promoting Congolese companies,” the source added. At the end of the workshop, several recommendations were made to ensure continuity of the initiatives undertaken. Participants notably proposed the establishment of a mentorship program between large mining companies and local SMEs, the creation of a shared information system on compliance requirements, and stronger coordination between the Chamber of Mines, CNDT and provincial business groups.
“These proposals aim to improve the integration of Congolese SMEs into the mining supply chain and enhance their competitiveness in the face of market requirements,” the source added. Organized on the sidelines of DRC Mining Week, this initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to increase the participation of national companies in the development of the mining industry, considered one of the main drivers of the Congolese economy, the report recalls.