Paulin Mbalanda

Practice Areas

- Corporate & Commercial Law

- Banking, Finance & Securities

- Mining & Natural Resources

- Infrastructure & Construction

- Energy & Renewable Energy

- Real Estate & Land Titles

- Telecommunications & IT

- Subcontracting & Local Content Compliance

- Regulatory & Institutional Advisory

- Legal Due Diligence & M&A

Career

Managing Partner, MBM-CONSEIL Sca, Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Kolwezi, Johannesburg (2008–present)

Founding Partner, Mbalanda & Deo-August (MDA) (1999–2008)

Legal Advisor, Office of the Vice-President in charge of Reconstruction & Development, DRC (2003–2007)

Consultant & Lead Expert, multiple government and international projects across the DRC and Central Africa (1996–present)

Legal & HR Advisor, African System SPRL (1990–1995)

Professional Memberships

Kinshasa Bar, DRC (since 1997)

Member & Expert, Dynamique Multisectorielle des TIC (DMTIC)

Founder & President, JUSDATA ASBL – African Association for IT Promotion

Founder, AVOCATS VERTS ONG – African Association for Environmental Protection

Vice-President, Observatoire Satellitaire des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale (OSFAC)

Member, Réseau des Juristes Africains de l’Environnement (RJAE/REDDA)

Publications

– Subcontracting in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Regulatory Evolution and Contractual Implications, Chambers Commercial Contracts 2025 Global Practice Guide

– Collection of Legal Texts on Environmental Matters in the Democratic Republic of Congo, JUSDATA Editions, 1st Edition, December 2000, Kinshasa, 160 pp.

– Collection of Legal Texts on Environmental Matters in the Democratic Republic of Congo, JUSDATA Editions, 2nd Edition, September 2006, Kinshasa, 565 pp.

– Media Regulation in the DRC: Experiences and Perspectives, collective work, APEFE, August 2007, 112 pp. (With the support of the French Community of Belgium.)

– Congolese Telecoms and ICT Law: Collection of Legal Texts, JUSDATA Editions, forthcoming (expected before July 2010), over 300 pp.

Personal

Writer and musician.

Paulin is also recognized for combining legal expertise with strategic advisory for multinational investors in complex regulatory environments

Work Highlights

- Provided comprehensive legal due diligence for major infrastructure and real estate projects, including Banana Port Housing Project, Kin Oasis Mall, and Bukanga Lonzo Agro-Industrial Park

- Advised international mining clients on regulatory compliance, incorporation of subcontractors, and operational licensing

- Drafted and reviewed loan and security documentation for financing transactions totaling over USD 150 million

- Structured PPPs for electricity distribution projects in Kinshasa, Matadi, and Lubumbashi

- Led legal reviews and drafted frameworks for telecommunications and IT regulatory reform in the DRC

- Conducted due diligence for IPO listings on the Hong Kong and Toronto stock exchanges

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Languages Spoken

French: High Level English: Good Level Lingala: High Level Kikongo: High Level

Experience

Experience

Over 25 years of practice advising domestic and international clients on corporate, regulatory, and project law in the DRC

Extensive involvement in mining, telecommunications, energy, infrastructure, and real estate projects

Regularly advises clients on Law No. 17/001 on Subcontracting, local content obligations, and DRC ownership requirements

Industry Sector Expertise

- Mining & Natural Resources: Regulatory compliance, subcontracting, environmental due diligence

- Infrastructure & Construction: PPPs, land acquisition, real estate development, project financing

- Banking & Finance: Loan documentation, securities, debt restructuring

- Energy & Utilities: Licensing, regulatory compliance, solar and renewable energy projects

- Telecommunications & IT: Policy advisory, licensing, sector reform, regulatory compliance

- Corporate & Commercial Law: M&A, corporate governance, local content and subcontracting law

Education

Awards