The forum
Makutano 2021.

A highly anticipated moment for all leading economic players in the Congo and in the countries of the region, the Makutano forum is a space for collaborative engagement where round tables, panels, and workshops alternate with networking sessions, Master Classes, and “deal rooms.” The strength of the Makutano forum lies in the blending of high-level, multisectoral expertise that helps make this annual gathering a genuine driver of innovation and development for the Congo and for the region as well.

The seventh edition of Makutano – Mak7, scheduled for December 7 & 8, will take place against a very particular backdrop marked by the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the emergence of the Omicron variant in the news. Moreover, MAK7 is being held almost a month after COP26, which was largely energized by the energy transition and net-zero emissions commitments. It is also in this particular context that African stakeholders are working to make the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) effective. MAK7 aims to be an opportunity for “out of the box” reflection and action on these themes, in order to move off the beaten path and deliver innovative and, where necessary, disruptive solutions.

Makutano firmly believes in the imperative of instilling a new mindset in the minds of stakeholders for a DRC and an Africa determined to confront multiple challenges and seize development opportunities. While people come to Makutano first and foremost to discuss business with various African and overseas partners, it should be noted that, alongside exchanges with political decision-makers, discussions among businesspeople and experts during round tables and thematic plenary sessions are also on the agenda. Moreover, these moments of reflection and exchange are punctuated by festive sequences reflecting the cultural richness of the continent.