With production spanning copper, gold, tin and tantalum extracted from coltan, the Democratic Republic of Congo is also the world’s leading cobalt producer: it accounted for an estimated 73% of global mine output in 2025, according to the US Geological Survey. That scale creates demand for engineering, equipment and services. For Congolese suppliers, however, securing a contract and financing the work remain separate hurdles.
Those hurdles are central to Makutano Mining. The network behind the event, founded by Nicole Sulu in 2015, has held 11 editions of its business forum. It is now bringing operators, banks, energy companies and public officials together for a dedicated mining gathering.
“If a Congolese supplier wins a contract but cannot finance equipment or meet the required certification standards, its opportunity to grow remains limited,” says Sulu.
The programme follows those questions into electricity supply, transport, finance and training, alongside discussions on taxation, revenue sharing, artisanal mining and environmental and social requirements.
According to the organisers, DRC President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema are confirmed to attend. The industry line-up includes representatives of Kamoa Copper–Ivanhoe, Gécamines, Sicomines and ERG Africa, while Rawbank, Ecobank and Trust Merchant Bank bring the lenders’ perspective.
“With Makutano Mining, we want to bring together the conditions needed to process more minerals in Africa, develop local businesses and create lasting employment,” says Sulu.
Alongside the conference sessions, participants will discuss individual projects and financing needs behind closed doors in the Deal Room. A separate “Signature Moment” is planned for the presentation of agreements reached.
The gala on 24 November will also feature an awards ceremony developed by the pan-African think tank MANSSAH. Among the proposed distinctions are KIWANDA for local processing, MISISA for supplier development and DIMANYA for skills transmission.
“We will pay particular attention to verifiable results and the continuity of the actions undertaken,” says MANSSAH president Alain Foka.
For suppliers, the business meetings offer a chance to ask operators about procurement requirements before committing to new equipment or training. Project developers, meanwhile, will be able to discuss financing and partnerships in the Deal Room. Both depend on the same practical question: what would allow the investment to proceed?
Source: africa.businessinsider.com
