Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), The President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, is expected to join his DRC counterpart, H.E. Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and other mining leaders at the first edition of Makutano Mining in Kinshasa.
The event, which will take place from 22 to 25 November 2026, will host the first edition of Makutano Mining, a pan-African forum dedicated to industrial development in mining-producing countries and the financing of mining projects.
Held under the high patronage of H.E. Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this first edition would notably bring together the Ghanaian President, as well as public officials, mining executives, investors and financial institutions around a shared objective: accelerating the industrialisation of producing countries and increasing the value created locally.
An edition entirely dedicated to mining After 11 editions, which since 2015 have brought together six Heads of State as well as 5,500 business leaders, decision-makers and investors, the Makutano Network is now putting its convening power at the service of a strategic sector for the future of the African continent.
Mining can serve as a foundation for the industrialisation of producing countries, as mineral processing and the provision of goods and services to mining companies can support the development of local businesses.
The challenge is to create the conditions needed for these activities to develop and generate sustainable employment and income. This is the question that the 2026 edition will address.
Bringing together the entire value chain, Makutano Mining will bring together mining operators, public officials, banks, development institutions and energy companies.
The forum will provide an opportunity to compare the needs of businesses with investment conditions and government priorities, with a view to identifying the commitments that each stakeholder can make.
“Africa holds the resources, but not yet the rules of the game. If we want to create more value for our countries, we must bring all sector stakeholders around the same table.
From Kinshasa, we want to demonstrate that the DRC can become the place where decisions are made, partnerships are forged, and the prosperity of our continent is built,” Nicole Sulu, Founder of the Makutano Network, said.
Four days of discussions and business meetings
The preliminary programme will combine discussions and business meetings at the Pullman Kinshasa and the Fleuve Congo Hotel, according to the following schedule:
– 22 November: arrival of delegations and reception at Villa Immorose.
– 23 November: closed-door sessions between public officials, Congolese companies and mining executives, followed by the opening ceremony.
– 24 November: panels, technical sessions, business meetings and exhibitions, followed by an awards gala.
– 25 November: continuation of the proceedings, high-level interviews and business meetings, followed by the closing of the forum.
Discussions will cover, among other topics, taxation and the sharing of mining revenues, transport corridors, electricity supply, and environmental, social and governance requirements.
They will also address artisanal mining, employment and skills development in mining regions, innovation, and the role of women in the sector.
To extend these discussions, the Salle des Accords, or Makutano Mining Deal Room, will host closed-door negotiations on projects and partnerships.
A dedicated sequence for major announcements, known as the “Signature Moment,” will then allow participants to present the agreements reached.
The DRC at the heart of critical minerals
The world’s leading cobalt producer, accounting for approximately 73% of global mined cobalt production in 2025, and the world’s second-largest copper producer, the DRC plays a central role in the supply of minerals needed for the energy transition.
The country’s weight in global production gives its industrial choices international significance, both for the development of its economy and for the supply needs of its international partners.
Strong institutional and sectoral representation
Among the announced participants are H.E. Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana; H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Mr Mike-David Mokeni Amisi, Governor of Bas-Uélé; Ms Rachel Pungu, Director General of ANAPI; Mr Popol Mabolia, Director General of the Mining Cadastre (CAMI); Mr Éric Kalala, Director General of the Enterprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC); Mr Kalaa Mpinga, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FOMIN; Mr Ted Beleshay, Director General of ARSP; Mr Baraka Kabemba, Chief Executive Officer of Générale des Carrières et des Mines (Gécamines SA); Mr Yannick Mbiya, Director General of TMB; Mr Cyrille Mutombo, Country Director of Kibali Gold; Ms Marie-Chantal Kaninda, CEO of Glencore DRC; Mr Li Sheng, CEO of Sicomines; Mr Gaudens Kanamugire, Director General of Mayfair; Mr Joseph Kazibaziba, Director General of DRC Gold Trading SA; Mr Fadi Wazni, founder of United Mining Supply (UMS); and Ms Alice Mirimo, Coordinator of PABEA-Cobalt. Representatives of the IFC, Africa Finance Corporation, African Development Bank, World Bank, Rio Tinto and ERG are also expected to attend. The list of speakers will be confirmed and updated as the forum approaches.
Makutano Network
Founded in 2015 by Nicole Sulu, the Makutano Network brings together African business leaders, investors and public officials with the aim of fostering value-creating synergies, stimulating concrete opportunities and building collective economic intelligence.
Across 11 editions, the Network has brought together six Heads of State and 5,500 business leaders, decision-makers and investors.
At once a network of influence, a platform for co-creation and a movement driven by conviction, it advocates for a strategic, confident and bold Africa that transforms its resources into sovereignty.
With Makutano Mining, the Network is bringing this ambition to the heart of a sector that will shape part of the continent’s industrial future.
