A book launch event was held on September 22, 2026, at the Fleuve Congo Hôtel in Kinshasa for "Le développement de l’Afrique au travers du Contenu Local : Cas de la RDC" (African Development through Local Content: The Case of the DRC) by Miguel Kashal Katemb. The event was attended by various Congolese politicians, academics, and diplomats. The book focuses on the importance of local content in achieving economic sovereignty and promoting national development.
The book was prefaced by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and postfaced by former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo. According to the author, the book aims to contribute to the debate on mechanisms to strengthen the participation of Congolese workers and companies in various sectors of the national economy. Miguel Kashal Katemb praised President Félix Tshisekedi's efforts to promote economic sovereignty in the DRC.
The book launch event featured several academic interventions, including presentations by Professor Jean-Marie Kayembe Ntumba, rector of the University of Kinshasa, and Professors Dieudonné Kaluba and Nicole Ntumba Bwatshia. The event also included a book blessing ceremony by Professor Évariste Boshab. The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including national deputies, senators, government officials, ambassadors, and students from the University of Kinshasa.
Guy Mafuta Kabongo, president of the Economic and Financial Commission of the National Assembly, praised the author's initiative and highlighted the importance of local content in discussions on the DRC's economic future. Marc Ekila, Minister of Vocational Training, emphasized the book's contribution to promoting national workforce development, which is crucial for the country's growth.
The book "Le développement de l’Afrique au travers du Contenu Local : Cas de la RDC" aims to stimulate debate on how to ensure that resources, skills, and economic opportunities benefit the Congolese people and national actors. The author hopes to inspire reflection on the DRC's ability to strengthen its autonomy and leverage local content for development.
The book's focus on local content and economic sovereignty resonates with current efforts to promote Congolese participation in the national economy. By exploring the potential of local content, the book offers insights into strategies for enhancing economic growth and development in the DRC.
The publication of "Le développement de l’Afrique au travers du Contenu Local : Cas de la RDC" marks an important contribution to discussions on economic development and sovereignty in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The book provides a valuable resource for policymakers, academics, and stakeholders interested in exploring the potential of local content to drive national growth and development.
Key points
- The book "Le développement de l’Afrique au travers du Contenu Local : Cas de la RDC" was launched on September 22, 2026, in Kinshasa.
- The book was prefaced by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and postfaced by former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo.
- The author, Miguel Kashal Katemb, aims to contribute to the debate on mechanisms to strengthen the participation of Congolese workers and companies in various sectors of the national economy.
