KINSHASA — September 8, 2026 — Businesses, entrepreneurs and diaspora investors from the Democratic Republic of the Congo are being encouraged to prepare investment-ready projects for the UK–DRC Economic Forum, scheduled to take place in London from November 2–4, 2026.
Preparations for the gathering formally began during a pre-launch event in Kinshasa on September 8.
DRC External Trade Minister Julien Paluku Kahongya called on Congolese economic operators to register in large numbers, with particular encouragement for young people and women entrepreneurs.
The objective is to connect Congolese companies directly with British investors, companies and institutions and turn business proposals into potential commercial partnerships.
Businesses Asked to Bring Bankable Projects
The central message from Congolese authorities is that companies should arrive in London with bankable projects, rather than simply presenting broad business ideas.
A bankable project should clearly demonstrate what the company wants to develop, how much investment it requires, how the money will be used, who the customers will be and how the project can generate sustainable revenue.
Businesses should also be prepared to explain what they expect from a British investor or commercial partner.
The forum is expected to feature business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings aimed at developing partnerships and potential memoranda of understanding.
Priority Investment Sectors
Several sectors have been identified as important areas for discussion.
They include energy, road infrastructure, commerce and youth skills development.
Earlier preparations have also highlighted opportunities involving agriculture, mining, environmental projects and Made-in-DRC products.
This gives Congolese companies operating outside the mining industry an opportunity to present projects to potential international partners.
British Investors and Institutions Expected
Baroness Sandip Verma, president of the UK–DRC Business Partnership Consortium and a member of the British House of Lords, has encouraged companies, investors, institutions, government representatives, diaspora members, entrepreneurs and professionals to express interest in participating.
The forum is expected to bring together investors, policymakers, business leaders, public institutions and academics.
The emphasis will be on identifying viable projects that could develop into longer-term economic partnerships between the two countries.
UK–DRC Chamber of Commerce Creates New Business Platform
The London forum follows the launch of the UK–DRC Chamber of Commerce in Kinshasa in March 2026.
The initiative was presented as a platform for strengthening trade and investment connections between British and Congolese businesses.
The UK government also announced economic initiatives involving access to finance, clean energy and agriculture as the two countries sought to deepen commercial relations.
One initiative involved a $25 million British International Investment loan to Rawbank, intended to expand financing for small and medium-sized enterprises and businesses outside the mining sector.
Support for clean-energy investment and climate-smart agriculture was also announced.
Congolese Products Have Major UK Market Access
According to the DRC Ministry of External Trade, the trade framework between the two countries provides duty-free British market access for 99.8% of Congolese products, including products such as coffee, cocoa and spices.
That creates an opportunity for Congolese producers seeking international customers.
However, market access alone does not guarantee exports.
Companies seeking to sell products in the United Kingdom must also be capable of consistently meeting British requirements involving quality, traceability, certification, packaging and other applicable product standards.
UK–DRC Trade Remains Relatively Small
Despite the DRC’s large population and natural-resource base, bilateral trade remains limited.
Official British figures cited for the four quarters ending in March 2026 put total UK–DRC trade in goods and services at approximately £145 million.
British exports to the DRC represented about £105 million, while British imports from the DRC were approximately £40 million.
The figures demonstrate the substantial gap between the size of the Congolese economy’s potential and the current level of commercial exchange with Britain.
The November forum will therefore be important not simply because business leaders will meet, but because organizers hope those meetings will eventually produce financing, investment, exports and commercial agreements.
What Congolese Businesses Should Prepare Before London
Companies interested in the forum should begin preparing an investor package now. It should include:
- Company profile: legal name, ownership, management team and business history.
- Registration documents: relevant licences, tax and compliance records.
- Project proposal: exactly what will be built, expanded or financed.
- Investment requirement: the amount of capital needed and whether the company seeks equity, debt, equipment, technology or another partnership.
- Financial projections: expected revenue, costs, profitability and cash flow.
- Market evidence: customers, contracts, purchase orders or credible evidence of demand.
- Existing assets: land, equipment, licences, intellectual property or commercial agreements.
- British partner’s role: exactly what the company expects from its prospective UK partner.
- Economic impact: projected Congolese jobs, local procurement, exports and other benefits.
- Implementation plan: realistic milestones showing how and when the project can begin operations.
Export-oriented businesses should additionally prepare product samples, pricing information, production capacity, certification records and evidence that they can consistently supply the British market.
Visa Support and Direct London–Kinshasa Connection
A preparatory committee is expected to assist the Congolese delegation and facilitate visa procedures for approved participants.
Congolese authorities have also advocated for the establishment of a British visa-processing office in Kinshasa.
Another proposal is a direct London–Kinshasa air connection, particularly with cargo capacity that could support trade between the two markets.
Those proposals should be distinguished from services that have already been established.
From Business Ideas to Investment Deals
The biggest test for the UK–DRC Economic Forum will come after the meetings end.
Memoranda, announcements and investor discussions can create opportunities, but the economic impact will depend on whether projects ultimately receive financing and move into implementation.
For Congolese entrepreneurs, that makes preparation particularly important.
🇨🇩🇬🇧 The message ahead of London is straightforward: Congolese businesses seeking international investment should arrive with projects that investors can understand, evaluate, finance and implement.
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✍️ Author: Mangwa
Mangwa mangwa
Mangwa Mangwa is the Founder of MECAMEDIA, a journalist, media professional, and political analyst committed to delivering credible news and meaningful stories from Africa and around the world. His work focuses on politics, leadership, business, community development, and current affairs, with a mission to inform, inspire, and connect communities through responsible journalism.