Kinshasa, DRC – Confidence in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) economic future is on the rise, following a strong show of support from one of Africa’s largest financial institutions. On July 24, 2025, Standard Bank Group reaffirmed its commitment to investing in the DRC, despite persistent security concerns in parts of the country.
Led by Lungisa Fuzile, Chief Executive for the Africa Region, a high-level Standard Bank delegation met with Prime Minister Judith Suminwa in Kinshasa to discuss collaboration on key development priorities.
“We are here, and we expect to do more,” said Fuzile. “There is a large part of this country where life is very normal.”
Focus on Strategic Infrastructure: The Lobito Corridor
Central to the discussions was the Lobito Corridor, a transnational infrastructure corridor linking Angola, the DRC, and Zambia. Standard Bank views the corridor as a transformative project for regional trade and industrialization.
“We want to contribute to critical infrastructure—roads, energy, and telecommunications—so the DRC can unlock its potential and help transform Africa,” Fuzile noted.
Backed by the United States and multilateral institutions, the Lobito Corridor is fast becoming a magnet for global capital, with the DRC poised to benefit from its geostrategic position.
Backed by Global Financial Muscle
Standard Bank underlined its readiness to finance large-scale projects through its strategic alliance with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)—the world’s largest bank by assets.
“We have the financial strength, the human capital, and the expertise to support the DRC in achieving its ambitions,” Fuzile emphasized.
A Vote of Confidence in Government Reforms
Economists see this engagement as a vote of confidence in President Félix Tshisekedi’s development agenda, which has focused on infrastructure, digital transformation, and regional integration.
“This kind of institutional backing strengthens the DRC’s investment profile and reflects a maturing relationship between the state and African capital markets,” said a Kinshasa-based economist.
Despite security concerns in the eastern provinces, investors and partners increasingly view the DRC through a strategic opportunity lens, especially in light of reforms and improving governance in the infrastructure and mining sectors.
