In the context of economic cooperation between France and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, an exceptional business meeting was organized in Paris.
An exceptional working meeting was jointly organised, in Paris on 25 November 2022, by ANAPI and CIAN with the presence of a ministerial delegation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
On Friday November 25, 2022, the National Agency for the Promotion of Investments (ANAPI) and CIAN – French Council of Investors in Africa, in partnership with the Paris-Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its Committee d ‘ Échanges Afrique-France (CEAF), Cabinets Sud-Ax Partners and Relecom & Partners, organized an exceptional business meeting with a ministerial delegation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Led by His Excellency the Minister of State, Minister of Planning, Christian Mwando Nsimba Kabulo, the Congolese delegation was composed, among others, by the Minister of Employment, Labor and Social Welfare, His Excellency Claudine Ndusi M’kembe; the Governor of Sud-Ubangi, His Excellency Jean-Claude Mabenze; the Ambassador of the DRC in France, Her Excellency Ms. Isabelle Tshombe, the Director General of ANAPI, Mr. Anthony Nkinzo Kamole, and a delegate of the National Agency for Electrification and Energy Services in Urban and Periurban Areas ( ANSER).
This business meeting, the result of the excellent relations that have been established between ANAPI and CIAN, also saw the video participation of Olivier Becht, French Minister of Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and the French from Abroad, as well as the participation of the Department of Economic Diplomacy of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
“DRC is a land of opportunity, with a geostrategic position in the heart of Africa”
After a presentation on the general economic framework and economic environment of the DRC, short and medium-term business opportunities were offered to French and European companies attending the event.
This was underlined by Christian Mwando Nsimba Kabulo, Minister of State, Minister of Planning “DRC is a land of opportunity, with a geostrategic position in the heart of Africa. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the business climate in the country and facilitate the entrepreneurial process in the DRC. Furthermore, with its recent accession to the EAC, the DRC has even greater potential for trade and economic development.»
Some French companies already present in the DRC were able to provide the public with their feedback on doing business in the country and their success stories.
Signing of a memorandum of understanding between Anapi and Cian
Furthermore, ANAPI and CIAN, who share the same belief that the private sector is the engine of Africa’s development, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the sidelines of this business meeting which will strengthen their collaboration for the promotion of opportunities in the DRC and the involvement of French and European companies in the country’s growth dynamics.
“You must be convinced that the DRC is a country of the future. There are a number of opportunities for traders. It is all the ambition of the collaboration between CIAN and ANAPI to present them to French and European companies»said Étienne Giros, President of CIAN.
DRC, vigorous growth of 6.4% in 2022
For his part, Anthony Nkinzo, Director General of ANAPI concluded in these terms: “International rating agencies underline the resilience of our country. The DRC has one of the most vigorous growth rates on the African continent: +6.2% in 2022 and a projection of +6.4% for next year. The nominal GDP trend is constantly growing, which reveals a strong production of wealth in the country. 67% of the world’s cobalt reserves are found in the DRC, a mineral resource of strategic importance that irrigates the international economy and high value-added industries. The country’s ambition today is to develop value chains locally. And the expertise of French and European companies is greatly appreciated, we welcome you in advance to the DRC!
The National Agency for the Promotion of Investments, (ANAPI), is the consultative body of the central government and the provincial governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in matters of investment promotion and improvement of the business climate. It has, among other missions, promote the multiple opportunities offered by the DRC and provide administrative support to all investors who decide to establish or extend their economic activities on Congolese territory.
Placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Planning, ANAPI has initiated and coordinated some fundamental reforms in the fiscal, legal, accounting and institutional fields. It works, with the help of all public and private sector reform structures, to remove all barriers to good business practices in the DRC. It also expresses reasoned opinions on any draft law likely to affect the country’s business climate and participates, in collaboration with sector Ministries, in the negotiation of Investment Protection Treaties.
