STARTING IN THE DRC AND ZAMBIA – GROUND ZERO FOR A CONTINENTAL MOVEMENT

Positioning two high-impact markets at the forefront of Africa’s workforce transformation

In the evolving landscape of African industry, few regions are as critical to the continent’s future as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia. These two markets, rich in mineral resources, developmental momentum, and labour potential, have been strategically selected as the launchpad for DGC TalentWorks, the integrated workforce development platform from DGC AFRICA.

This decision is neither coincidental nor opportunistic. It reflects a deliberate, insight-driven approach to workforce transformation that pairs active DRC implementation with forward-facing strategic intent in Zambia. Together, they form the foundation for a scalable, continent-wide model that redefines how industrial workforces are built, mobilised, and retained.

THE CHALLENGE: RISING WORKFORCE DEMANDS IN A HIGH-RISK OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

Africa’s mining and industrial sectors are expanding at pace. Yet as capital investment, infrastructure rollout, and mineral extraction intensify, businesses face a persistent constraint: a job-ready, safety-compliant, and mobile talent shortage. Fragmented recruitment channels, administrative inefficiencies, and complex cross-border regulatory frameworks compound this shortage.

Mining operations in the DRC and Zambia face unique but interconnected workforce challenges:

• DRC: Operational instability, labour law complexity, and the need for rapid, compliant labour deployment in high-risk zones.

• Zambia: A young but underutilised labour force, industrial diversification pressures, and increasing regulatory focus on local content and workforce development.

These realities require more than recruitment, they demand an end-to-end, industry-specific workforce solution.

THE SOLUTION: DGC TALENTWORKS

DGC TalentWorks combines the strength of DGC AFRICA Skills and DGC Workforce Solutions into a single platform that delivers:

• Certified technical training

• Scalable labour outsourcing

• Cross-border mobilisation

• Executive recruitment and leadership development

• HR, payroll, and compliance infrastructure

• Real-time performance analytics and digital documentation

Through TalentWorks, DGC AFRICA empowers industrial clients to secure the right people in the right place and time while reducing administrative complexity, ensuring full legal compliance, and enhancing workforce retention.

THE DRC: GROUNDED IN EXECUTION, PROVEN IN PRACTICE

The DRC represents the implementation arm of the TalentWorks strategy. With over a decade of active operations in the region, DGC AFRICA has established a robust on-the-ground infrastructure that enables the immediate deployment of its workforce across mining operations, construction zones, and energy installations.

Key differentiators in the DRC include:

• Pre-vetted, job-ready industrial talent sourced through structured recruitment channels

• On-site HSE training and upskilling, delivered through DGC AFRICA Skills’ ISO-compliant frameworks

• Full-spectrum compliance and mobility management, including digital permit tracking and cross-border HR support

• Real-time workforce analytics, enabling productivity monitoring across multiple project sites

• Strategic partnerships with visa agencies like ZedVisa to fast-track international mobility

This operational foundation enables mining companies in the DRC to de-risk labour deployment, maintain project timelines, and ensure workforce continuity in even the most remote and high-risk environments.

ZAMBIA: STRATEGIC INTENT FOR SCALABLE WORKFORCE INNOVATION

While the DRC represents operational maturity, Zambia embodies strategic foresight. As the country moves to expand its industrial base, increase mining production, and localise workforce capabilities, DGC TalentWorks is positioned to become a cornerstone of Zambia’s workforce development ecosystem.

Zambia presents a unique opportunity to:

• Develop structured talent pipelines through the Junior Artisan Program

• Align industrial training with market trends, working alongside TVET institutions and government bodies

• Deploy technology-enabled HR systems, including self-service portals and predictive analytics

• Invest in leadership and succession planning, addressing the long-term need for skilled supervisors and managers

• Support local and regional mobility, optimising skills distribution across active mining corridors

By embedding workforce strategy into the country’s broader industrial development goals, DGC TalentWorks enables Zambian clients to transition from reactive hiring to proactive talent planning, a vital shift as the country gears up for its next growth phase.

A DUAL-MARKET STRATEGY WITH CONTINENTAL IMPACT

Launching in the DRC and Zambia allows DGC TalentWorks to test, scale, and refine its model across two distinct industrial environments.

This dual strategy achieves:

• Operational validation in high-pressure, high-complexity zones (DRC)

• Strategic innovation and stakeholder engagement in policy-forward markets (Zambia)

• Cross-border resource pooling, facilitating dynamic redeployment across project sites

• Continental knowledge transfer, creating blueprints for replication in South Africa, Botswana, and beyond

More than a market expansion, this is a proof-of-concept for a new approach to African workforce development, one that aligns economic impact with human upliftment, and short-term performance with long-term capability.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR DECISION-MAKERS IN MINING

For senior leaders in the mining sector, the benefits of partnering with DGC TalentWorks are clear and measurable:

LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR AFRICA’S WORKFORCE FUTURE

The choice to launch DGC TalentWorks in the DRC and Zambia is more than a business move, it is a statement of intent. It reflects DGC Africa’s long-standing commitment to sustainable industrialisation, workforce equity, and long-term transformation.

By bringing together best-in-class recruitment, technical training, and operational execution under a single platform, DGC TalentWorks is helping clients across the continent move from labour transactions to talent strategy.

In doing so, it is laying the groundwork for a new era in African workforce development, one built on performance and purpose.

To explore how DGC TalentWorks can support your workforce goals in Zambia, the DRC, or beyond, visit www.talentworks.dgc-africa.com or contact the team for a tailored consultation.

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Dickinson Group of Companies (DGC) was founded in 1910. Please visit our website for comprehensive information about Our Company – History, Vision & Values, Strategy, Global Alliances, Africa Footprint, Commitment to Safety, Anti-Corruption Policy, References, and Industrial Solutions.