The Center for Research in Public Finance and Local Development (CREFDL) has called on the Court of Auditors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to intensify scrutiny of how mining companies are managing the mandatory 0.3% turnover allocation earmarked for local development.
In a statement issued on August 28, 2025, CREFDL emphasized the need for a comprehensive audit, noting persistent irregularities in the way funds are handled. The organization also urged civil society groups to step up their oversight role to improve transparency and accountability in the sector.
The appeal comes on the heels of a June 2025 audit by the Court of Auditors, which exposed serious shortcomings in Lualaba and Haut-Katanga provinces. Key findings included:
- Weak or delayed establishment of local development organizations, leaving mining-affected communities without direct benefits.
- Refusals by some mining companies to disclose turnover data to authorized local bodies.
- Underreporting of turnover figures and partial—or in some cases, non-existent—disbursement of the required allocations.
CREFDL stressed that correcting these gaps is critical to ensuring mining revenues translate into tangible improvements for communities living near extraction sites. Without proper enforcement, the group warned, the 0.3% allocation risks being diverted from its intended purpose.
