The Democratic Republic of Congo is considering a plan to help mining employees acquire mandatory stakes in the companies they work for through worker cooperatives and company‑financed credit, a draft decree seen by Reuters on Tuesday showed.

Authorities in the world's top cobalt and second‑largest copper producer are preparing rules to enforce a law requiring miners to reserve 10% of their equity for Congolese nationals, including 5% for their employees.

Congo introduced the rule in 2018, but no company has yet complied. In January, Mining Minister Louis Watum Kabamba wrote to mining firms reminding them of their obligations. The government gave companies until 31 July 2026 to show proof of compliance or risk sanctions.

Under the decree drafted by the mines ministry, companies would be required to sell shares to their employees on interest‑free credit. The workers' stakes would be held through cooperatives, while a separate 5% of equity would be reserved for other Congolese nationals, who could hold shares either directly through Congolese‑owned companies or via public social security institutions.

Under the credit‑backed system, workers would reimburse their loans through the withholding of up to 80% of their annual dividends until the debt is fully repaid, according to the draft decree.

The decree also states that companies will not be allowed to dilute the 10% equity for Congolese nationals irrespective of future capital increases.

Congo's mines ministry and Chamber of Mines did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Speaking after discussions with the ministry, Juresse Lokosha, head of the Union for Social Peace, said access to shares will not be automatic for all workers but would depend on their ability to mobilise financing, whether privately or through a company‑backed credit scheme. He added that authorities are therefore encouraging pooled structures to lower entry barriers.

A mining executive told Reuters on Monday, 22 June, that a draft of the decree had been shared with workers for input. Major multinational miners, including Glencore, Ivanhoe and China's CMOC, are among those facing compliance pressure. As commodity prices surge, African countries are increasingly seeking a larger share of their mineral wealth.