DRC Investment Summit: The awakening of an African giant 

By Cindy Euston-Brown

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), like many other emerging countries around the world, is looking at agriculture and infrastructure development as a springboard to economic development and job creation.

Agriculture and infrastructure (hard and soft) investment provides both short and long-term economic benefits. In the short term, they create jobs and economic activities such as special agroprocessing zones, roads, bridges, storage facilities, hospitals, schools, power plants etc. They create an ecosystem that allows food production, construction and related services companies to work and create jobs.

Ben Leyka, DRC Invest Acting Chief Executive Officer said “despite global disruptions, the DRC should remain committed to reviving its construction sector, develop its agriculture industry and drive policy reform that will attract private sector investment”. The impact of the COVID 19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict on food prices, food and nutrition security in Africa might derail some of the progress made so far unless there’s a focus on reaching sustainability and resilience in food systems.

DRC Invest is pleased to announce the upcoming DRC Investment Summit, taking place from 27-29 June 2022 in Kinshasa. The Summit will focus on “building a sustainable agrifood ecosystem in DRC” workshop on the 27 June as well as feature investment ready projects that have been fully developed in agriculture, energy, healthcare, fintech, transport, ICT infrastructure etc. and secure the necessary capital as we promote DRC as an investment and business destination.

The Summit is a global meeting place for investment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – bringing together global investors, businesses, developers, government officials and policy makers to attract and retain investment as well as discuss trends that influence economic growth in the DRC.

The inaugural Summit will bring over 650 high level participants targeting over US$10 Billion worth of investment as well as highlight its commitment to a market economy, where obstacles to private investment are removed. DRC is open for business and it is moving towards business friendly policies and engagement.

While the potential that the country offers is undoubted, the question remains: will it be achieved? Businesses and governments will need to work harder to capture the opportunity; the country’s productivity and growth will be driven by both governments and businesses by focusing on mobilising more domestic resources, aggressively diversifying the country’s economy, accelerating infrastructure development, deepening regional integration, creating tomorrow’s talent and entrepreneurs, formulating financially informed policies, ensuring healthy urbanisation and attracting public and private investment.

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For project submission please contact Diane Kayumba at diane.kayumba@drcinvest.com and for more information about the Summit, please contact Cindy Euston-Brown at cindy.eustonbrown@drcinvest.com or visit www.drcinvestsummit.com.

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