The Democratic Republic of Congo will begin annual audits of major mining companies from 2027 as the government steps up enforcement of local-content rules and seeks to increase opportunities for Congolese-owned businesses.
The Authority for the Regulation of Subcontracting in the Private Sector, known by its French acronym ARSP, will oversee the audits, its Director General Beleshayi Kasanda Ted told Reuters.
The reviews will examine mining companies’ subcontracting arrangements and their compliance with rules requiring greater participation by Congolese businesses.
The new enforcement regime is part of a broader push by the government to retain more economic value from the country’s mineral wealth. Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt and Africa’s second-largest producer of copper.
The local-content legislation is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. Industry-specific guidelines are being prepared and are expected to include penalties for noncompliance, as well as mandatory three-year compliance plans.
ARSP has already intensified inspections of major mining operations. Earlier this month, it ordered Glencore’s Kamoto Copper Company and Mutanda Mining, as well as Ivanhoe Mines’ Kipushi zinc operation and Chinese-controlled Sicomines, to end subcontracting arrangements that did not meet regulatory requirements and submit plans to address the shortcomings.
Ivanhoe said it remained in discussions with ARSP and considered its Kipushi operation compliant with applicable subcontracting rules. Glencore and Sicomines did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kasanda said ARSP was recruiting additional inspectors and reviewing outstanding company audits as it prepares for the annual monitoring programme.
The regulator’s data showed that 167 large companies reported $3.7 billion in subcontracting contracts during 2025. About $3.1 billion, or 83%, went to companies majority-owned by Congolese nationals, with mining accounting for about $2.9 billion of the total.
The government wants to increase the share of contracts awarded to local businesses. Still, the policy has raised concerns among companies and business groups about the ability of domestic suppliers to meet the requirements.
Robert Malumba Kalombo, head of the Federation of Enterprises of Congo, the country’s largest private-sector business association, said enforcement should be accompanied by measures to help Congolese companies become more competitive.
Civil society groups have also called for greater transparency around subcontractors and their beneficial owners to prevent companies with political connections from benefiting from the rules.
The new audits add to wider efforts by Kinshasa to increase state oversight of the mining industry. In July, the government moved to enforce a separate requirement for international mining companies to transfer 10% of their equity to Congolese nationals, including a 5% stake for employees.
The measures come as Congo seeks to attract investment into its critical-minerals sector while ensuring more of the economic benefits remain in the country.
Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
Omar Victor Diop (Senegal)
Most Famous Photo: Images from his series “Project Diaspora” or “Portrait Session,” which re-imagine historical portraits of notable Africans and Black figures in Western art history.
Short Bio: Born in 1980, Omar Victor Diop is a Senegalese photographer known for his vibrant, meticulously staged portraits that blend African aesthetics with contemporary fashion and historical references. His work often reclaims and reinterprets narratives of Black representation, challenging conventional perspectives.
Tunez
Boerewors — spicy South African sausage [boor-uh-vors] Meaning ‘farmer’s sausage’, this term describes a savory sausage that was developed by the Afrikaners approximately 200 years ago. Boerewors is usually ‘braaied’ and eaten on a hot dog roll with tomato sauce and mustard. Make sure you roll the ‘r’ when pronouncing this word.
Sepukku
Interview with a pirate:
There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.
\”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”
\”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”
\”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”
\”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”
\”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”
\”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”
\”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”
\”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”