The Makutano Mining forum will take place in Kinshasa from November 22 to 25, 2026, under the high patronage of Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the DRC. The event will bring together key stakeholders, including President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, government officials, mining executives, investors, and energy companies. The forum is organised by the Makutano Network, which has a proven track record of promoting economic cooperation and investment in Africa.
The decision to dedicate a platform to the mining sector reflects the need for African countries to move beyond the extraction and export of raw minerals and create stronger domestic industries around their natural resources. The forum aims to promote greater local value creation from Africa's mineral resources while supporting the industrial development of mineral-producing countries. This aligns with the Makutano Network's goal of fostering economic cooperation, investment, and value creation in Africa.
Founder of the Makutano Network, Nicole Sulu, emphasises that mining can serve as a foundation for the industrialisation of producing countries if they develop the capacity to process minerals locally and strengthen businesses that supply goods and services to mining companies. The continent must create the right conditions for such activities to expand and generate sustainable employment and income. The DRC's position in global mineral production makes it an ideal location for the forum.
The four-day programme will combine high-level discussions, technical sessions, exhibitions, and business meetings at the Pullman Kinshasa and Fleuve Congo Hotel. Delegations will engage in closed-door discussions, panels, and technical sessions, followed by an awards gala and further business meetings. Key issues to be addressed include taxation, transport corridors, electricity supply, environmental standards, artisanal mining, employment, and innovation.
The DRC's strategic role in critical minerals, particularly cobalt and copper, makes it a crucial player in the global mining industry. The country's mineral resources place it at the centre of global supply chains for materials important to the energy transition. Decisions concerning the development and industrialisation of its mining sector have implications beyond its borders. Ghana's President Mahama will share his country's experience in gold value addition, local content, and mining sector governance.
High-level participation is expected, with senior officials and industry executives, including DRC Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba, Glencore DRC CEO Marie-Chantal Kaninda, and representatives from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and African Development Bank (AfDB). The Makutano Mining Deal Room will provide a platform for closed-door negotiations on projects and partnerships, while a "Signature Moment" will allow participants to publicly announce agreements reached during the forum.
The Makutano Network, founded in 2015 by Nicole Sulu, brings together African business leaders, investors, and public officials to promote economic cooperation, investment, and value creation. With Makutano Mining, the network is turning its attention to a sector that remains central to Africa's economic prospects, seeking to promote greater local processing, investment, employment, and industrial development from the continent's mineral resources.
Key points
- The DRC's hosting of the Makutano Mining forum highlights its importance as a decision centre for Africa's mining value addition.
- The forum aims to promote local value creation from Africa's mineral resources while supporting the industrial development of mineral-producing countries.
- High-level participation from senior officials and industry executives is expected, including President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana and DRC Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba.
