Imagine a region where economic ties are the cornerstone of peace and stability. That's the bold vision driving a groundbreaking gathering in Kinshasa on November 14, 2025. But here's where it gets intriguing: this isn't just another summit; it's a strategic move to harness economic diplomacy as a powerful tool for transformation in the Great Lakes Region.
Coinciding with the 9th Ordinary Summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), this high-level event will bring together over 250 key players—public decision-makers, business leaders, financial institutions, and technical partners—for a day of intense dialogue. The theme, “The Great Lakes in Action: Economic Integration for Lasting Peace – Success Stories,” underscores the region’s commitment to turning economic cooperation into a force for enduring stability.
Held under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the meeting is more than symbolic. It’s a practical step toward strengthening the region through three critical sectors: infrastructure, energy, and agriculture—the very engines of Africa’s economic transformation.
Organized jointly by the Ministry of Regional Integration and the Public-Private Partnership Council and Coordination Unit (UC-PPP), the event will spotlight transformative projects. Take, for instance, the Lobito Corridor, a game-changing initiative linking the DRC, Zambia, and Angola to the Atlantic Ocean. Or the Tanzania-Burundi-DRC railway project, backed by the African Development Bank and the East African Community, which promises to revolutionize trade routes. And let’s not forget the DRC-Uganda road corridor, designed to streamline cross-border commerce and investment.
And this is the part most people miss: the event isn’t just about showcasing projects; it’s about fostering dialogue and building trust. High-profile attendees, including Téte António, Angola’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Albert Zeufack of the World Bank, and Xia Huang, the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, will lend their expertise. Representatives from the African Union, European Union, East African Community, and major financial institutions like AFD and AfDB will also be in attendance, highlighting the global significance of this initiative.
Adding to the momentum, a regional digital platform will be launched during the event. This innovative tool will enable real-time monitoring of integration projects, enhancing transparency and coordination among member states. It’s a move that could redefine how public and private partners collaborate.
“Our region can only consolidate peace if it creates the conditions for shared prosperity,” declared H.E. Floribert Anzuluni Isiloketshi, Minister of Regional Integration. His words echo a profound truth: without economic integration, without roads to connect, energy to power, and trade to build trust, lasting stability remains elusive.
But here’s the controversial question: Can economic diplomacy truly be the linchpin for peace in a region with such complex geopolitical dynamics? While the meeting underscores the DRC’s and the Great Lakes Region’s commitment to this vision, skeptics might argue that economic integration alone isn’t enough. What do you think? Is this approach a game-changer, or does it overlook deeper political and social challenges?
This gathering isn’t just a meeting—it’s a statement. Under the Congolese presidency of the ICGLR, the region is doubling down on economic diplomacy as a pathway to peace and shared development. Whether you’re an optimist or a skeptic, one thing is clear: the Great Lakes Region is charting a bold course, and the world is watching.
