During the second edition of the Mining, Energy, and Infrastructure Conference—held from Monday, November 3, to Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in Kindu (the capital of Maniema Province), specifically at the Mussa Kabwankubi Moïse amphitheater of the University of Kindu’s Faculty of Medicine—UDEB, a platform for economic and diplomatic cooperation, is joining the discussion on leveraging the DRC’s mining potential. Its president, Cristian Dumitru, outlines the organization’s mission and the significance of its participation in this major event.
Mr. President, could you briefly introduce the Union for Bilateral Economic Diplomacy (UDEB) and explain its role within the Congolese economic ecosystem?
Cristian DUMITRU (C.D.): The Union for Bilateral Economic Diplomacy—known by the acronym UDEB—is an organization with an economic and diplomatic mandate, founded to strengthen cooperation ties between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its bilateral partners. Our primary mission is to facilitate trade, foreign direct investment, and institutional partnerships based on mutual respect, transparency, and sustainability.
Within the Congolese economic ecosystem, UDEB acts as a strategic interface between the private sector, public authorities, and international partners. We work to promote a pragmatic economic diplomacy focused on concrete results by supporting Congolese and foreign companies in their cooperation, investment, and innovation initiatives.
In what way does the bilateral economic diplomacy you advocate serve as a concrete lever for boosting trade and attracting foreign investment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
C.D.: Bilateral economic diplomacy relies on direct dialogue between states, institutions, and economic actors to create a climate of trust conducive to business. In practical terms, we foster targeted connections between investors and Congolese decision-makers, providing a framework for mutual understanding across legal, fiscal, logistical, and cultural dimensions.
Through this approach, we translate diplomacy into tangible actions: economic forums, business missions, support for major structural projects, and—above all—securing investments through transparency and good governance. The goal is clear: to transform the DRC into not just a mining destination, but also a competitive industrial and commercial hub at the heart of Africa. Your presence in Kindu is generating a great deal of interest. What is motivating UDEB to participate in this Mining Forum, and what results or partnerships do you hope to achieve from this gathering?
C.D.: Our participation in the Kindu Mining Forum is driven by a twofold ambition. First, to support the Head of State’s vision focused on the local processing of natural resources. Second, to create a space for dialogue between foreign investors and Congolese mining operators. We aim to highlight UDEB’s role as a platform for fostering bilateral economic connections, particularly between the DRC and various partners in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa.
We look forward to concrete cooperation agreements, memoranda of understanding, and joint initiatives for the sustainable development of the mining sector—specifically in areas such as logistics, technical training, and responsible financing.
Mining development also relies on quality infrastructure, training, and transparency. How does UDEB plan to contribute to these priorities as part of its economic mission?
C.D.: UDEB positions itself as a catalyst for strategic partnerships. We work to promote integrated investments—spanning not only extraction but also access infrastructure, energy, local processing, and the training of young Congolese talent.
In collaboration with our technical and financial partners, we are working to establish vocational training centers, local entrepreneurship initiatives, and mechanisms for economic transparency.
Good governance is a cornerstone of our work, as the country’s economic credibility depends on rigor and clarity in the management of its resources. Finally, what is your long-term vision for the UDEB? Do you aim to establish it as an enduring institution for Congolese economic diplomacy—one capable of acting as a bridge between the business world and public policy?
C.D.: Absolutely. Our long-term vision is to make the UDEB a sustainable, independent, and respected institution capable of embodying modern Congolese economic diplomacy.
We want to build a solid bridge between international investors, public institutions, and the Congolese private sector—one founded on trust, competence, and a shared vision of development.
In the coming years, the UDEB aims to become a true center of excellence for bilateral cooperation, dedicated to economic progress, institutional stability, and the realization of Congo’s potential.
In short, our goal is to make economic diplomacy an instrument that serves the people and fosters sustainable development.
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