Return to Congo 2026

We are excited to announce that Return to Congo 2026 will take place in Kolwezi and Lubumbashi from May 17-23 2026, with a special focus on the mining sector, investment opportunities, and diaspora engagement in the Grand Katanga region.

This year’s edition will be strategically aligned with the Katanga Business Meeting (May 20–22, 2026) — the premier gathering of industry leaders, government officials, and mining stakeholders shaping the future of mining in the DRC.

Whether you’re interested in minerals and critical supply chains, infrastructure, financing, talent development, or geopolitics, this trip will connect you directly with the people and opportunities driving Congo’s economy. 

Interested in joining us?
Please complete this brief poll to indicate your interest in participating in Return to Congo 2026.

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Nous sommes ravis d’annoncer que Return to Congo 2026 se tiendra à Kolwezi et Lubumbashi du 17 au 23 mai 2026, avec un accent particulier sur le secteur minier, les opportunités d’investissement et l’engagement de la diaspora dans la région du Grand Katanga.

L’édition de cette année sera stratégiquement alignée avec le Katanga Business Meeting (20–22 mai 2026) — le principal rendez-vous réunissant les leaders de l’industrie, les responsables gouvernementaux et les acteurs du secteur minier qui façonnent l’avenir de l’exploitation minière en RDC.

Que vous vous intéressiez aux minéraux et aux chaînes d’approvisionnement critiques, aux infrastructures, au financement, au développement des talents ou à la géopolitique, ce voyage vous mettra directement en relation avec les personnes et les opportunités qui dynamisent l’économie congolaise.

Merci de compléter ce sondage afin d’indiquer votre intérêt pour participer à Return to Congo 2026.

Return to Congo 2024

Congolese Diaspora Impact Strategies, in collaboration with Kwafrika Travel Ltd brought five Congolese-American professionals spanning financial services, media, tech, law, and business to Kinshasa, DRC for a seven-day curated trip from November 22 to November 29, 2024.

The trip connected the group with changemakers, leaders, and entrepreneurs to learn about opportunities in sectors including:

• Tourism
  
• Agriculture, Food & Beverage
• Real estate,
• Tech and Financial Service
• Arts and Culture

Highlights from Return to Congo:

Day 1: Arrival Day and Welcome Dinner

• Return to Congo participants

Day 2: Friendsgiving Dinner in partnership with DIASPAT

• CDIS organized a Friendsgiving dinner, in collaboration with DIASPAT, which fostered connections between Return to Congo participants and Congolese Diaspora professionals and local entrepreneurs. The dinner facilitated community building, exchanges on business opportunities in the DRC, and opportunities on business and philanthropic projects.

Day 3: Tourism Day 

• The group visited Parc de la Vallée de la N’Sele, located 30 miles from the Kinshasa city center This nature reserve is reserve is well-known for its breathtaking views, biodiversity, and wildlife.

Day 4: Agriculture, Food & Beverage Day

• The group met with entrepreneurs in the agribusiness and food and beverage sector, Lauren Mukashirwa-Noterman and Sivi Malukisa. Laurent Mukashirwa, alongside brother Frederic, is one of the co-founders of Jambo Jus, a Congolese-owned fruit juice company. Sivi Malukisa is the president of Manitech Congo, an agribusiness company producing natural fresh jams, jellies, peanut butter, sauces, and flour. Both companies’ products are 100 percent Congolese, sourced from Congolese farmers, and transformed by Congolese workers.

Day 5: Arts and Culture Day

• The group explored Kinshasa’s vibrant culture and history, including the Académie des Beaux-Arts. The Académie des Beaux-Arts is only academy of fine arts in the DRC and a great place to discover the next generation of Congolese artists and Congolese art. As a result of this visit, participants gained a deeper appreciation for the DRC’s artistic and cultural legacy of the country.

Day 6: Real Estate Day

• The group learned about real estate opportunities in the DRC. The group received presentations from Thierry Tubajika and Andjelo Cherty about their respective real estate projects in the country. Thierry Tubajika, founder of 243 Congo Enterprise, provided an overview of his company’s various real estate holdings, in addition to previewing opportunities for potential investments in his endeavors in Maluku. Mr. Andjelo also provided an overview of his planned real estate projects, Maluku Preserve City, which is focused on diaspora investment.

Day 7: Tech and Finance Day

• The group met with a range of entrepreneurs at Silikin Village, an entrepreneurship and innovation hub established in the heart of Kinshasa. This hub serves as a catalyst for many start-ups and businesses in the DRC, where its main mission is on identifying talent and developing innovative products and services.

Key Takeaways from the Inaugural edition of Return to Congo:

• The inaugural Return to Congo trip was a successful, fulfilling, and impactful trip for the program’s participants.
• The trip illustrated the importance of Congolese Diaspora (and those interested in the Congo), who want to build businesses or philanthropic organizations in Congo, to come visit the country before starting those enterprises. Doing research and exploring the landscape in the DRC is key.