On Tuesday, September 10, in Kinshasa, the National Minister of Tourism, Didier M'pambia, launched a forum focused on the validation of the national tourism policy, which draws its legitimacy from Article 6 of the law on the fundamental principles related to tourism, requiring the government to define and implement the national policy for this sector.
In the presence of Jean-Pierre Lihau, Deputy Prime Minister for Public Service, representing the Prime Minister at the forum, Didier M'pambia pledged to submit a proposal to the government at the end of the event for the establishment of an interministerial framework aimed at developing the tourism sector in the country.
The three-day forum has a key objective: to unite the efforts of all stakeholders in the tourism value chain in order to reflect on and establish mechanisms to enhance and validate the national tourism policy as provided by law.
“This forum is being held based on Article 6 of Law No. 18/018 of July 9, 2018, on the fundamental principles relating to tourism, which states that the government defines and implements the national tourism policy. The main objective of these proceedings is to unite the efforts of all stakeholders in the tourism value chain in order to reflect on and establish mechanisms for enhancing and validating the National Tourism Policy as provided by law... This is an opportunity to affirm my ministry’s commitment to adopting a coherent and comprehensive public policy approach to tourism through an integrated government strategy. Following the government panel, my ministry pledges to propose to the government the creation of an interministerial framework for tourism development,” stated Didier M'pambia during his speech.
The Minister of Tourism went on to list and explain the five pillars that define the ambition of this forum to validate the national tourism policy in the DRC:
Create a strategic framework to increase tourism investment, including boosting accommodation capacity with more than 30 hotels ranging from 3 to 5 stars, totaling around 30,000 beds by 2030;
Improve access infrastructure to tourist sites;
Contribute to the creation of 200,000 to 500,000 additional jobs by 2030, based on investments throughout the tourism value chain, notably through the development of various tourism structures, including the creation of tourist villages;
Generate annual foreign currency revenues of approximately 7 billion USD by 2030;
Strengthen public-private partnerships to diversify the tourism offer, create new tourist destinations across the country based on the 145 Territory Development Plan (PDL 145T) — positioning each territory as a tourist destination — and improve service quality through skills development.
In addition to these five points, several strategic axes will support implementation, in line with the ministry’s mandate. These include improving the institutional governance framework and standardization of the sector, innovation and digital transformation, promotion, entrepreneurship, financing and human development, expanding tourism offerings and strengthening competitiveness, and sustainable development.
Furthermore, Didier M'pambia, who views tourism as a major driver of sustainable and inclusive economic growth, lamented the very low budgetary resources allocated to the sector, especially in comparison to other African countries where tourism contributes significantly to the GDP. He called on the government to increase budget allocations and to prioritize public-private partnerships and donor support, particularly through the development of tourist villages.
“They say comparisons are not always fair, but I will refer to some data from other African countries to illustrate my point. In Kenya, tourism accounts for 10% of GDP, in Tanzania 17%, in Morocco 7.3%, and in South Africa 9%, while in our country it is less than 2%. In Tanzania, tourism is the third largest direct employer with more than 850,000 workers,” he explained.
Moreover, through the concept of “tourist villages” — an approach initiated by the Minister — aimed at revitalizing tourist destinations in the DRC, the ministry seeks to make the 145 Territory Development Program effective. This includes curbing rural exodus by creating local jobs, improving electrification and water supply, ensuring proximity to security services, offering free education and healthcare, facilitating local governance through the creation of reliable rural communes, accelerating financial inclusion, encouraging SMEs, promoting food self-sufficiency, and preserving nature by offering alternatives to poaching and deforestation.
“It is in this context,” he concluded, “that a reflection is underway within my ministry to identify anchor points with the PDL 145T as a structuring and integrative project. 145 territories mean 145 tourist destinations and 145,000 jobs,” Didier M'pambia declared.
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