Makutano is the DRC’s and the economic subregion’s premier business platform. Its strategic importance cannot be overstated.
Only Makutano allows key players to actively accelerate economic transformation, while opening the doors to cross-border partnerships. Through Makutano, the power of the region's collective intelligence is being harnessed for the first time to create robust and sustainable value.
In short, Makutano is an African led response to the economic challenges of the Congo and the sub-region, and a gateway to major international partners.
Makutano was born to deliver sweeping change in African business and its promoters are the local leaders who immediately believed in this vision.
In June 2016, 150 Congolese leaders met at the Sultani hotel in Kinshasa for high level talks. Months later they were joined by 350 additional leaders from various sectors across the sub-region. Today, the annual Makutano forum has become the region's premier business event, regularly involving heads of state and investors. This year it has grown to include over 600 key figures and changemakers of the region.
Makutano places African leadership at the centre of the development equation and asks local & regional champions to honour their roles in society. Makutano invites the driving forces of the economic ecosystem of the DRC and the sub-region to take part in a dialogue. To pool their expertise and knowledge. To forge innovative partnerships. And to define new models for response and action.
Why?
Because we Africans are tired of waiting to fulfil our potential. Because we as Congolese, we as Africans, we as business leaders, as heads of state, as opinion leaders, as entrepreneurs and as public authorities have the expertise and resources needed to create shared prosperity. We must play our role, we cannot delegate it. It is our duty to lead, enlighten and co-construct the individual and common successes of our continent.
This is what we mean with our brands’ signature :
IF WE DO NOT, WHO WILL ?
We, Congolese, Africans, we, business leaders, heads of state, opinion leaders, we, entrepreneurs and investors.
Makutano’s roots and reason for being lies in the DRC; an exceptional country, in need of a new collective narrative, which must be written by the Congolese themselves to serve the common good. This new story is found in its central location. Sharing nine borders with neighbouring countries, the DRC occupies a position of immense and untapped hydroelectric potential. Coupled with its agricultural, forestry, mining and human wealth, the Congo is a powerhouse of regional development and integration waiting to shine.
Choosing Kinshasa to host our annual forum reflects our strategic vision for the region.
Who are the Makutano champions?
They are established leaders and emerging leaders from the private and public sector, civil society, legislators, and influencers from the diaspora. They are iconic figures in their industries and / or agents of change. They are active listeners who participate in a dialogue designed to discover innovative and pragmatic solutions.
The actions of Makutano are organised around 3 key pillars: Business, Collective Economic Intelligence and Influence.