• DRC warns mining firms over fuel inspections tied to subsidy reform
• New law bans subsidised fuel use in mining, ends tax exemptions
• Fuel import revenues surged 1,500% after enforcement began in August 2025

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government has warned mining companies operating in Haut-Katanga and Lualaba provinces over new fuel regulations.

In a letter dated Dec. 10, 2025, and signed by Hydrocarbons Minister Acacia Bandubola Mbongo and Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba, the government said the warning followed refusals by several mining firms to allow inspectors from the Petroleum Product Marking Brigade onto their sites to check fuel stocks.

The inspections are intended to ensure that state-subsidised fuel meant for household use is not being used by mining operations.

Under Article 22 of the 2025 Finance Law, land and aviation fuels used in mining, including gasoline, kerosene, diesel, fuel oil, jet fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), are no longer eligible for public subsidies. The law also removes import-duty and tax exemptions on these products, including customs duties and value-added tax, when they are sold to mining companies or their subcontractors.

To enforce the measure, mining firms must now procure fuel under customs bond and use products bearing molecular markers that distinguish them from fuel sold at service stations.

The General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA) suspects some operators of circumventing the system since the rules took effect in August and has launched unannounced inspections. Between Sept. 7 and Sept. 12, inspectors were denied access to fuel storage facilities at several companies in Lualaba province.

In response, the ministers urged mining companies to cooperate fully. They said inspections by the Molecular Marking Brigade would now be systematically carried out alongside administrative checks by the hydrocarbons authorities. These controls will cover storage capacity, monthly fuel imports and consumption, the availability of customs declarations, and the validity of permits for fuel importation, transport and on-site storage.

Deputy Prime Minister for the National Economy Daniel Mukoko Samba said the reform had an immediate impact on public revenue. Fuel imports generated more than 63 billion Congolese francs ($22 million) in August 2025, up from about 4 billion francs ($1.5 million) the previous month, an increase of more than 1,500%.

Boaz Kabeya