Equity Group has brought together more than 50 delegates from 16 nationalities for a five-day trade mission in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The mission is aimed at opening new business opportunities, strengthening economic ties, and linking investors with partners in the mining-rich Katanga region. More than 120 Congolese delegates are also part of the engagement.

For the first time, the trade mission will extend to Kolwezi, a key mining hub northwest of Lubumbashi that hosts most of the DRC’s mining operations. Delegates have been drawn from Kenya, DRC, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Poland, Germany and the United States, with many eyeing the region’s copper and tin resources.

Equity Group Director of Trade Relations AQ Hamza said the initiative is about forging real partnerships that lead to results.

“It’s good to see familiar faces of people who have been on our trade missions before, struck deals, and are back to strike even more deals. These missions are not about tourism; they are about connecting you with the right partners on the ground,” he said.

Equity BCDC Associate Director for Commercial Projects, Paty-Paterne Mushagalusa, added that the pre-summit meetings offer an ideal platform to build networks.

“Equity has been at the forefront of bringing people together, connecting businesses and countries to seize opportunities in the East and Central Africa region. We are keen to see the effort we are making in partnership having an impact on your businesses,” he said.

Some entrepreneurs are already reaping the benefits of previous missions. Kenyan businessman John Wainaina, who registered Beracah Enterprises SURL in Lubumbashi after attending a past mission, said his company was born from a chance encounter.

“My break came when I met a Kenyan investor who encouraged me to form a company. I later returned to finalise the registration and opened an account with EquityBCDC. This time, I’m excited about the inclusion of Kolwezi in the itinerary, as I see opportunities to supply machinery to mining companies there,” he said.

For first-time participants, the mission is opening new horizons. Tanzanian delegate Daniel Lwanji, Managing Director of Oakley Company, said his firm is eager to explore the vast potential in the DRC’s mining sector.

“As experts in mining tools, we have come to Congo knowing there are vast opportunities. Congo mines every kind of mineral, and we bring solutions to help the nation mine better, faster, and more efficiently while securing a sustainable market for our products,” he said.

Others praised Equity for reducing barriers to entry.

“Equity has made what could have taken us 10 years happen in just three days by connecting us to the Congo market,” one participant said.

South Sudanese investor Thomas Muto Lo’Buda of Bros Group of Companies said his firm is now seeking to re-establish operations in the DRC after exiting the market years ago.

“We previously had business in Ariwara, Aru and Ondila, but then we closed the business. That was from 1999 to 2002, but now we are looking for a comeback chance. In those years, things were different, but also back then we didn’t have a trusted partner that knew the terrain like Equity,” he said.

Lo’Buda added that his company, which works in real estate, construction, petroleum, hospitality, healthcare and mining, is now targeting renewable energy investments.

“My interest here in DRC is in the energy sector, specifically renewable energy, and we are looking forward to establishing business here in Congo. We have been in a good relationship with Equity in South Sudan, and this is our opportunity to expand our business. It is good that this is being spearheaded by a financial institution like Equity. It is a good move for African businesses through an African-led institution like Equity, so I have a lot of expectation that this will strengthen us as the Bros Group of companies to work together with Equity in the Congo market,” he said.