Is it possible to run a successful business in the war-torn DRCongo?

Summary

Africa Daily – “Is it possible to run a successful business in the war-torn DRCongo?”

Host: Alan Kasuja, BBC World Service
Guest: Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo (Entrepreneur, Mining Sector)
Contributor: Ikaba Koi (Africa Daily Producer, DRC)
Date: February 20, 2025

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Overview

This episode of Africa Daily explores the immense challenges and unexpected possibilities of running a business in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amidst ongoing armed conflict and political instability. Host Alan Kasuja interviews Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo, an entrepreneur in the mining sector, to understand how businesses in the resource-rich but war-torn nation survive and even thrive. Producer Ikaba Koi provides crucial background on the current security crisis gripping the country.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Security Crisis: Current Situation in DRC

• Armed Conflict in the East
  • M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, have taken control of strategic eastern cities (Goma and Bukavu), despite international calls for peace ([00:47]).
  • Even relatively calm regions, like Bukavu and Goma, remain tense, with daily life disrupted—banks, shops, and airports remain closed in Goma ([03:39]).
  • The capital Kinshasa has seen reports of armed men in the streets and gunfire, though details remain unverified ([03:39], [04:56]).
• Nationwide Impact
  • Insecurity is nationwide, not just limited to conflict hotspots: “What is certain is that there is insecurity looming across the country.” – Ikaba Koi ([03:39]).
• Failed Peace Talks, Ongoing Mediation
  • SADC and EAC community peace talks in early February failed to deliver a ceasefire, but African Union and internal religious leaders are still promoting dialogue ([06:16]).
  • “The turmoil… is still ongoing, and there doesn't seem to be any clear end in sight.” – Ikaba Koi ([06:16]).

2. Economic and Social Impact of Conflict

• Disruption to Business Operations
  • Protests and instability in Kinshasa led to closure of banks; even southern businesses far from the fighting are unable to make transactions or support suppliers ([02:24], [14:01]).
  • “Conflict is not a good thing. It's not the way to go. It affects all businesses in general, regardless of our position in the country.” – Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo ([14:01]).
• Resilience and Adaptation
  • Despite conflict, some sectors (like mining) see growth, particularly when the state enforces local content laws and supports local enterprise ([12:01]).
  • “The future of mining, I believe, lies in collaboration… especially a common vision for sustainable development… it goes through the fabric of our society and uplifts our communities and empowers the local businesses to grow.” – Shanti ([15:31]).
• Lasting Social Trauma
  • Conflict results in mass displacement, human rights abuses, and the disruption of societal structures:
    • “Our women are raped. How do they educate their children? It must end. It must end.” – Shanti ([15:31]).

3. Shanti’s Story: Business in the Mining Sector

• Background & Operations
  • Shanti's company, based in Kolwesi (south DRC, near Zambia), supplies chemical consumables to international mining corporations—copper is the mainstay, though diamonds are in the long-term plan ([08:36]–[10:13]).
  • Business is conducted across borders, reliant on South African suppliers and international markets ([14:01]).
• Role of the State
  • Kolwesi and the copper region have developed rapidly, with infrastructure improvements and enforced local content laws credited to a more present state apparatus ([12:01]):

    “The state is enforcing local content laws… saying to major Mining companies… this is about legacy… building businesses that thrive not only during the life of a mine, but long after the mining operations have ceased.” – Shanti ([12:01]).

• Determination to Stay
  • Shanti returned from South Africa, driven by faith in her homeland’s potential:

    “I want to have faith in my country. It's one of the reasons why I returned home.” – Shanti ([12:01]).

  • Despite challenges, she describes signs of progress and business opportunity—tied directly to stability and government enforcement.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Peace and Prosperity

  • “If our land is not in peace, business cannot thrive, right? Peace is crucial for prosperity.” – Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo ([02:58], [14:01])

• On the State’s Role

  • “The Koloesi I first visited in 2019 has developed. Our infrastructures have gone up. So that can only be done if the state is present.” – Shanti ([12:01])

• On Social Impact and Urgency for Change

  • “Communities are being displaced. Women are being violated… Our minerals… are important for the advancement of the world, but they are also important for the progress of our people. We could share this mineral with the world, but our people must come first.” – Shanti ([15:31])

• On Hope and Collaboration

  • “The future of mining, I believe, lies in collaboration, partnership and innovation, but especially a common vision for sustainable development.” – Shanti ([15:31])

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Key Timestamps

• 00:47 – Alan Kasuja sets the scene in conflict-affected Bukavu, introduction to the security crisis.
• 02:24 – Shanti details disruption to business operations from national protests despite distance from conflict.
• 03:39–06:16 – Ikaba Koi’s update on the DRC’s latest conflict developments, failed and ongoing peace talks.
• 08:36–10:13 – Shanti describes her mining contracting business, the supply chain, and the regional context.
• 12:01 – Discussion on state presence, development in Kolwesi, and enforcement of local content in mining.
• 14:01–15:22 – Shanti on how conflict filters through the business environment and society.
• 15:31–17:45 – Reflection on generations-long conflict, hope for sustainable peace, and human rights issues.

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Tone & Language

• The episode is sober and clear-eyed but not without hope. Shanti’s tone is resilient and optimistic, stressing faith in her country and the power of collaboration. Ikaba Koi provides calm, factual updates on the crisis. The language is accessible, direct, and often emotional—especially when discussing human costs.

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Summary Conclusion

Running a business in DRC is an act of resilience and hope, made possible by a mix of state engagement, entrepreneurial spirit, and the sheer will to overcome adversity. While the current conflict presents enormous obstacles, there is still progress and optimism—particularly in sectors bolstered by both local initiative and government support. Yet Shanti’s testimony is clear: for business and for society, peace is absolutely vital, and the true measure of DRC’s mining wealth is not just its benefit to the world, but to its own people.

Transcript

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk.

[Ikaba Koi]

What do you think makes the perfect snack?

[AM PM Advertiser]

Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

Could you be more specific?

[AM PM Advertiser]

When it's cravinient.

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

Okay.

[AM PM Advertiser]

Like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at AM pm. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. pM.

[Ikaba Koi]

I'm seeing a pattern here.

[AM PM Advertiser]

Well, yeah, we're talking about what I.

[Ikaba Koi]

Crave, which is anything from AM pm.

[AM PM Advertiser]

What more could you want? Stop by AM PM where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's Cravinions ampm. Too much Good stuff.

[Alan Kasuja]

A convoy of military vehicles carrying heavily armed soldiers drives through an oldish shopping complex in a village. Crowds of people are standing on on the side of the street, waving at the troops and expressing their happiness, seeing how jubilant the local residents are. The gunmen are smiling back, some even jumping off their military tracks to take selfies with the civilians. It's all happening in the city of Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. On Friday 14 February, the M23 rebels started entering Bukavu, having already captured another strategic city, Goma. The progress of the militants, who are said to be backed by Rwanda, comes despite international calls for a ceasefire and a resumption of talks aimed at ending the conflict in the DRC. For more than 30 years, numerous armed groups have competed with the central authorities for power and control of the mineral rich country. The war has claimed countless lives over the years, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced in the last few weeks alone. But its impact is not limited to the eastern parts of the country. It's being felt nationwide, even by local.

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

Businesses, because obviously of what's happening. There were protests that happened in Kinshasa. People were protesting and it affected us in the south because the banks were closed and our suppliers could not, you know, benefit obviously from the transaction.

[Alan Kasuja]

This is Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo. She's an entrepreneur whose company is based in Kolwesi in the south of the drc. I'll be talking to her about several things, including running a business in such a difficult time.

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

If our land is not in peace, business cannot thrive, right? Peace is crucial for prosperity.

[Alan Kasuja]

I'm Alan Kasuja and this is Africa Daily. Now, before I sit down with Shanti, let's get the latest on what's been happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here is Africa Daily, producer who is herself from the DRC.

[Ikaba Koi]

As of now, Alan, the city of Bukavu, which is in the South Kiwi province, it's reportedly relatively calm, but that's despite there being claims of M23 militants patrolling the streets. As you are also aware, the DRC government has confirmed that the city is now under control of the Mines March 23rd movement, which, if you don't know, is otherwise known as the M23. Rwanda has also confirmed, but says it is there to protect civilians. Goma is also relatively calm. The M23 took control of Goma a few weeks ago, although things haven't completely gotten back to normal. Most shops and banks and also the airport is still closed. Social media footage has been showing footage of armed men in Kinshasa, and they've also been reports of gunshots on the streets. Whether they are from militants involved with the M23 movement or not, that's a different discussion. It hasn't been verified yet. But what I can confirm is that there have been those reports and it's still not clear what this means. But what is certain is that there is insecurity looming across the country.

[Alan Kasuja]

Basically, M23 is in charge of Bukavu and Goma, and now we are hearing about some sort of situation developing, unconfirmed reports in Kinshasa. A lot of this stuff is based on footage that has been spotted on social media. That's quite significant, isn't it?

[Ikaba Koi]

It is quite significant. It now means that the group has full control of the strategic city, which is known for its access to Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu has an abundance of energy, such as methane. Lake Kivu provides food and water for the region, as well as resources like coal and gold. As we know, M23 is also in control of Goma, which is the key economic and trade hub for the region. Also now, with the control of both cities, M23 now has a huge grip of power in the DRC. The majority government has refused to speak to M23 at all costs. And this ties back to the Sadak and East African Community talks held in early February.

[Alan Kasuja]

Right. And those talks, from what we've heard, do not seem to have yielded much. The talks between SADC and the eac, does it mean that the door is shut for talks completely?

[Ikaba Koi]

I wouldn't say that. I mean, the African Union held talks and at the forefront of the discussion were cause for ceasefire in the drc. And the Commission also said that it did not want a Balkanisation of the drc, which is what many people are fearing so there are still talks at the AU level. It's true that the Southern African Development Community and East African Community talks held in Tanzania in early February have failed, but there is still space. The DRC government says it's refusing to speak to M23 for breaking the ceasefire. But the DRC's Catholic and Protestant leaders have been trying to galvanize talks for peace with relevant internal and regional actors. For example, in that meeting in Brussels were the DRC's key opposition figures, such as Moais Katumbi, and also representatives of the former President Joseph Kabili's coalition group known as fcc, or Common Front of Congo. So they are talking about ways to resolve the conflicts, but as of now, there still hasn't been any mutual consensus. And the turmoil, as we now understand, is still ongoing, and there doesn't seem to be any clear end in sight. And if the militias take control of Kinshasa, the question is, will the current president, Felix Shisekedi, survive? Would he last four years? That's the ultimate question.

[Alan Kasuja]

All right, thank you so much, Ikaba, for those details. The Democratic Republic of Congo is known for its precious metals and minerals. These include gold, diamonds, tin and cotton, which is a key component of mobile phones and other consumer electronics. My guest, Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo, also operates in the mining space.

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

My business is based in Koloesi, the south of the drc.

[Alan Kasuja]

Koloesi is right at the border almost with Zambia. Right.

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

So you have to leave Koloesi to get to Lubumbashi, which is 45 minutes away. Then you've got that border, Lubumbashi, that's.

[Alan Kasuja]

Right there, Lubumbashi, if I remember my geography. Right, Southeast in the Katanga Plateau.

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

Exactly. So we share a border with Zambia.

[Alan Kasuja]

So we are talking about areas like Kamina, Dilolo, Likasi.

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

Yes, yes. And then after Likasi, you get to Coloise.

[Alan Kasuja]

And that's a Copa area, is it?

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

Yes, it's, you know, I like to say it's one of the richest, if not the most richest, city of the drc.

[Alan Kasuja]

So that whole area, I know, Chikapa is, you know, I've been to Chikapa, to Kananga. I know places like Bujimai.

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

Bujimai. That's where I was born, the diamond city.

[Alan Kasuja]

Oh, okay. So why do you choose copper instead of diamonds? Diamonds should come naturally.

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

Maybe it could, you know, to be the fact that I grew up in South Africa and the closest, you know, to here was the West Katanga. I moved to South Africa with my parents at the age of nine and fast forward, I returned home and 12 years ago I actually returned home and Lubumbashi was a place that I went to frequently, closer I think to South Africa. But we are going to do the diamonds. It's in our long term goals, we're going to get there.

[Alan Kasuja]

So you get into copper, you're doing pretty big business, are you?

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

We are in mining contracting and mining contracting can be a catalyst for growing and for building businesses that are sustainable and profitable in creating the local champions around the mining sector itself. So we provide these chemicals for the treatment of the minerals to the mining.

[Alan Kasuja]

Company you supply, shall we call them consumables?

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

Exactly. We in the value chain of the mining industry, so we supply this consumable hours as the chemicals used to treat copper. For instance, copper, as you know, that is used as a conductor for heat, electricity, it's used for electrical cables, even in jewelry it's used and it's used for construction.

[Alan Kasuja]

When you say treating copper, what does that mean?

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

The mining companies that we serve extract these minerals and after extraction it needs to be treated. That's where we come in. We supply them with the chemicals needed to treat these minerals, I guess to make them market ready.

[Alan Kasuja]

So who's your customer? Are they international organization?

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

Our customers are international big mining corporation themselves. And they use this product to treat the mineral. They then sell to their customers exporting it all around the world.

[Alan Kasuja]

A lot of people who watch the eastern part of the DRC say the biggest problem is that there is an absentee state, that Kinshasa has no idea what's going on in the east. What about in the south? In the areas you operate in, do you find that the state is present? Do you see public goods and services, hospitals, schools that are working the way they should?

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

Absolutely, absolutely. I want to have faith in my country. It's one of the reasons why I returned home. You know, I saw its potential and I returned home. The first time I visited Kolorezi, the mining town in which we operate in the sector, it was in 2019 and fast forward today, the Koloesi that I first visited in 2019 has developed. Our infrastructures have gone up. So that can only be done if the state is present. And one of the reasons why we are, you know, we are thriving as local businesses in mining contracting. It's because the state is enforcing the local content laws that existed, exist and it's always existed. But more than ever the state is enforcing it. It's saying to the mining companies, to major Mining companies. This should not just be about mining. This is about legacy. It should be about creating an ecosystem in which local businesses can thrive, can be profitable, and build businesses that thrive not only during the life of a mine, but long after the mining operations have ceased. Businesses that can be profitable, can innovate and be key players in the value chain of the mining sector. And this is only being done and being applied now more than ever, actually, because the state is present. Foreign.

[Alan Kasuja]

You're listening to the BBC's Africa Daily podcast with me, Alan Kasucha. Today I'm in conversation with Congolese business owner Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo. I'd like to know what it's like to run a company during such a difficult period in her country.

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

Let's just put business aside. How are we affected as Congolese? If our land is not in peace, business cannot thrive, right? Peace is crucial for prosperity. We are in the south side of drc and this is mainly. This conflict is mainly focused in the eastern part of the drc. That being said, I'm both aware of the complicities of conflict, but yet in inspired by the resilience of our people. It affects business mainly in the eastern part, but also it gets to the southern part. I'll give you an example. We transact a lot with South Africa because the factories are based in South Africa, the factories that manufacture these mining chemicals that we supply to the mines. And we had to conduct a transaction, a banking transaction, because obviously of what's happening. There were protests that happened in Kinshasa. People were protesting. And this affected Kinshasa, that's far away from the east. And it affected us in the south because the banks were closed and our suppliers could not benefit obviously from the transaction. Conflict is not a good thing. It's not the way to go. It affects all businesses in general, regardless of our position in the country.

[Alan Kasuja]

And are you hopeful that a solution will be found, one that will allow your people to prosper and for your business to continue thriving?

[Shanti Shela Biakte Mutombo]

This has been going on for 30 years, Alan, so it's not the first time this has happened. And obviously, as you might know, the challenges faced by our country is due to the long history historical interests of the world in our vast mineral resources. However, the future of mining, I believe, lies in collaboration. Collaboration, partnership and innovation, but especially a common vision for sustainable development. Once we can realize that mining is all about the legacy we leave behind, it's not just about ensuring that the profit from mining drives economic growth, but also that it is, you know, it goes through the fabric of our society and uplifts our communities and empower the local businesses to grow. Then we can understand that we have to sit around the table, speak to one another, and hopefully there could be prosperity and peace for all. This must come to an end. Communities are being displaced. Women are being violated. The human rights in general are being violated. I believe that we are a generation that should or are pushing for human rights and these conflicts are a violation of basic human rights. Our minerals, yes, are important for the advancement of, of the world, for the technological advancement of the world, but they are also important for the progress of our people. We could share this mineral with the world, but our people must come first. Our women are raped. How do they educate their children? It must end. It must end.

[Alan Kasuja]

And this is where I leave it for today. Thank you very much to my guest, Ikabai Koi and Shanti Shella Biakte Mutombo. Our Africa Daily is a BBC World Service production. This episode was produced by Mpola Kaje. Our editors are Rosanna La Falche and Simon Peeks. For more news and current affairs relating to the continent, check out our sister podcast, Focus on Africa. And before you put your device down, drop us an email. Tell us what you think about this or any other episode you might have listened to. Africadailybc.co.uk or let's take the conversation to X, my handle, theresucha. And that's with two Js. Thank you for listening.