Kisangani, DRC – In a bold expansion into Africa’s defense landscape, Turkish entrepreneur Turhan Mildon is spearheading the construction of a state-of-the-art drone launch base in Kisangani, the strategic heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This ambitious project marks a significant pivot for Mildon, who has already made waves in the continent’s economic sphere with his Kinshasa financial center. Now, through his company Milvest, he’s venturing into military technology, securing a high-stakes contract with the DRC’s armed forces to bolster operations against the persistent threat of the Congo River Alliance-M23 rebels.

Mildon’s journey in Africa began with finance but has rapidly evolved into multifaceted investments that blend business acumen with geopolitical strategy. His Kinshasa financial hub, launched just two years ago, has positioned him as a key player in Central Africa’s emerging markets, attracting Turkish capital and fostering trade links between Europe, Turkey, and the DRC. “Africa’s potential is limitless, but security is the foundation for growth,” Mildon stated in a recent interview, underscoring his rationale for this defense foray. The Kisangani drone base represents not just a business move but a direct response to the DRC’s ongoing security challenges in the east.

The contract with the Congolese military, reportedly valued at tens of millions of euros, involves Milvest supplying and operationalizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) tailored for surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes. Kisangani, located along the Congo River and serving as a gateway to the resource-rich eastern provinces, is an ideal launchpad. Rebels from the M23 alliance—backed by external actors and active since their resurgence in 2021—have destabilized North Kivu and surrounding areas, displacing millions and disrupting mining operations critical to the DRC’s economy. DRC forces have struggled with rugged terrain and supply line vulnerabilities, making drones a game-changer for real-time intelligence and rapid response.

Milvest’s drones, sourced from Turkish manufacturers like Baykar and customized for tropical environments, promise enhanced endurance and autonomy. The base will feature hangars, control centers, and training facilities, creating hundreds of local jobs and transferring skills to Congolese technicians. This aligns with Turkey’s growing influence in Africa, where Ankara has supplied drones to over a dozen nations, from Ethiopia to Nigeria, often on favorable terms that include technology sharing.

Critics, however, raise eyebrows over foreign involvement in sensitive military projects. Local NGOs worry about escalation in the conflict, while some analysts question the DRC government’s transparency in awarding the contract. “Private players like Mildon could tip the scales, but at what cost to sovereignty?” asks Jean-Pierre Kibambe, a Kinshasa-based security expert. Supporters counter that Western arms embargoes have left the DRC underserved, and Turkish tech offers a reliable alternative without the strings attached.

For Mildon, a self-made magnate who built his fortune in construction and logistics before pivoting to high-tech ventures, this is par for the course. Born in Istanbul and with deep ties to sub-Saharan trade routes, he’s no stranger to high-risk environments. The Kisangani project is expected to be operational by mid-2026, potentially reshaping counter-insurgency efforts and opening doors for further Turkish-DRC collaborations in energy and infrastructure.

As Africa grapples with internal conflicts and external pressures, initiatives like this highlight the continent’s shifting alliances. Will Mildon’s drone base stabilize the east or ignite new debates on foreign military footprints? Only time—and the skies over Kisangani—will tell.

By Panafrican.email Staff | March 24, 2026

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