Wealth and Power: Unveiling the Business Empire of the Kabila Family in the DRC

In a revealing report published by a research group at New York University, it has been exposed that the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Joseph Kabila, and his family have built a vast network of businesses across nearly every sector of the country’s economy since 2003. The report suggests that these business ventures have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues.

Jaynet Kabila

 Jaynet Kabila, who was supposed to step down last year after 16 years as president, has clung to power, citing financial constraints as a reason not to hold elections. The report, titled “All the President’s Wealth,” sheds light on the extensive business holdings of the Kabila family, potentially providing insight into why the president is determined to retain his position despite low polling numbers.

The Kabila family’s business empire spans various sectors, with the president himself owning 71,000 hectares of farmland. His twin sister, Jaynet Kabila, holds a valuable stake in the state telecoms company, while his younger brother has interests in mining, construction, and even a share in the Nando’s fast-food chain. In total, the family is linked to over 80 companies, both within the DRC and abroad.

The report, presented by Jason Stearns, the director of the Congo research group, aims to hold the country’s leaders accountable for their economic management and adherence to laws and the constitution. It outlines how the Kabila family, once living in relative poverty during the Mobutu years in Dar es Salaam, amassed significant wealth over the past two decades.

While there are no laws preventing Congolese politicians from owning businesses, the report raises questions about the family’s rapid accumulation of wealth, especially when over half of the country’s population survives on less than £1 a day.

Allegations in the report suggest that mining permits were granted beyond legal limits to companies owned by Jaynet Kabila. Additionally, family-owned companies were said to have won state contracts and earned millions from subcontracts.

A separate investigation by Bloomberg further claimed that President Kabila’s brother, Zoé Kabila, contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to the family’s wealth through an extensive network of businesses.

The report relies heavily on Congolese legal documents, which were obtained by the research group through straightforward requests to the authorities. This access, despite the government’s restrictions on public space and civil liberties, highlights a unique aspect of the DRC.

As the DRC faces political uncertainty and economic challenges, the report underscores the complexities of power, wealth, and accountability within the country. Despite ongoing conflicts and the president’s dwindling popularity, the evidence suggests that the Kabila family has no immediate plans to relinquish its hold on the nation. Whether their investments are indicative of a long-term commitment to the country or a strategic move to safeguard their wealth, the intricate web of businesses and investments within the DRC continues to capture international attention.