Tshisekedi Pledges $50 Million to Revive State-Owned Mining Giant in Grand Kasaï
President Félix Tshisekedi has unveiled a $50 million plan to revive Minière de Bakwanga (MIBA), the struggling state-owned diamond mining company, during a high-profile visit to the Grand Kasaï region. Tshisekedi, who began his tour on December 24, addressed large crowds in Kananga before traveling to Mbuji-Mayi, the capital of Kasaï Oriental and his home province. There, he outlined his vision to restore MIBA as a key driver of the region’s economy.
Speaking at a public rally in Mbuji-Mayi, Tshisekedi described the $50 million investment as essential to restarting operations at MIBA, which has been crippled by years of mismanagement and financial decline. “This is not a small amount,” he emphasized, pledging strict oversight to ensure the funds are used efficiently. The president said the initiative would create much-needed jobs for local youth and jumpstart economic recovery in a region that has faced prolonged hardship. 
MIBA, once a thriving pillar of the Congolese economy, has been largely dormant in recent years, leading to widespread job losses and economic stagnation in Kasaï Oriental. Tshisekedi’s plan aims to reverse this trend, focusing not only on restoring the company’s operations but also on leveraging its revival to stimulate broader regional growth. Local residents, many of whom have endured years of economic uncertainty, have welcomed the announcement as a long-overdue step toward stability and opportunity.
The revival of MIBA is part of Tshisekedi’s broader development strategy for Grand Kasaï. During his visit, he also highlighted plans to address gaps in infrastructure and essential services such as education and healthcare. These efforts, he said, are designed to build a more resilient foundation for the region’s long-term prosperity. Tshisekedi assured the public that each project would be closely monitored to ensure effective implementation and meaningful results.
