DRC: Remarkable Performance by DGRAD Under the Leadership of Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba

Kinshasa, July 31, 2026 – The Directorate General of Administrative, State-Owned, Judicial and Participation Revenues (DGRAD) closed the month of July 2026 on a strong note, recording a budget execution rate of 107.46%. Under the leadership of Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba Likunde Li-Botayi, and thanks to the strong managerial approach of Director General Me. Étienne Utshudi Lutula, this revenue authority mobilized CDF 624,148,092,277.07 in non-tax revenues. These figures remain provisional pending the finalization of the month’s accounting operations. This performance reflects the effectiveness of reforms undertaken in the public finance sector, as well as the Government’s determination to strengthen budgetary management and optimize the mobilization of domestic resources, in line with the vision of the President of the Republic, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, centered on budgetary discipline, transparency, and national development. It further strengthens DGRAD’s credibility as a strategic pillar in the mobilization of non-tax revenues, contributing to the economic transformation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A Historic Moment: Honoring Meritorious Staff As part of the closing of the month of July, a solemn ceremony for the decoration and awarding of Civic Merit Medals was held under the high authority of the Minister of Finance. For the first time since the creation of DGRAD 31 years ago, senior officials, executives, and staff members who have reached retirement were elevated to the rank of Civic Merit recipients, in recognition of their loyalty, dedication, and contribution to the growth and prestige of the institution.

The Industry Promotion Fund Seeks to Attract Investors in the BENELUX with US$420 Million Over Three Years

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is taking another significant step in its strategy to attract foreign direct investment. In this context, the Industry Promotion Fund (FPI) organized a conference on industrial development in the DRC on July 29 in Belgium. The forum brought together business leaders, development finance institutions, members of the Congolese diaspora, and members of the diplomatic corps. Speaking at the event, Blaise Mastaky Birindwa, Deputy Managing Director of the FPI, stated that the DRC aims to “move from an economy based on raw material exports to one driven by industrial transformation.” He highlighted several positive macroeconomic indicators, including annual economic growth of more than 5%, inflation reduced to around 6% following the economic pressures of 2023–2024, and foreign exchange reserves covering approximately 13 weeks of imports, compared to only two weeks in 2020. The Deputy Managing Director also provided details on the country’s business climate, infrastructure, and energy sector to reassure potential investors. He emphasized the construction of the Lobito Corridor, linking the provinces of Lualaba and Haut-Katanga to the Angolan port of Lobito, as well as the implementation of major hydroelectric projects, describing them as key assets for large-scale investments. On the financial front, the FPI presented its transition toward a co-financing and risk-sharing model with other development institutions. This approach is illustrated by an agreement signed in February 2026 with South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), with the first joint projects expected to be launched soon. The FPI and the IDC have identified four priority sectors: agriculture, the pharmaceutical industry, energy, and the local processing of strategic minerals. Under its 2026–2028 three-year strategic plan, the FPI intends to mobilize US$420 million to support industrial development. The funding will be available to Congolese entrepreneurs, international investors, and members of the Congolese diaspora. However, eligible businesses must be incorporated under Congolese law and operate within the DRC. A strong appeal was also made to the Congolese diaspora, encouraging its members to invest both their expertise and capital in industrial projects across the country. Quoting Victor Hugo, Blaise Mastaky Birindwa concluded: “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” He urged Belgian and other international entrepreneurs not merely to witness the DRC’s economic transformation, but to become key players in shaping it. On the sidelines of the conference, Deputy Managing Director Mastaky met with Bertin Mampaka, President of the Francophone Brussels Parliament. The meeting formed part of the economic diplomacy agenda promoted by President Félix Tshisekedi. Patrick LOKONI

Recovery of FPI Claims: Government Launches Major Debt Collection Drive

The Congolese government has begun a major initiative to recover US$350 million in outstanding claims owed to the Industrial Promotion Fund (FPI). The matter was discussed during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa in Kinshasa on Tuesday, July 21. The government aims to clean up the FPI’s portfolio and channel the recovered funds back into the country’s industrialization efforts. The meeting brought together several sector ministers, the FPI’s General Management, and representatives of specialized government services. To achieve this objective, the government will rely on the judiciary and other competent public institutions. Prime Minister Suminwa instructed the relevant stakeholders to establish a coordinated and rigorous mechanism to identify defaulting debtors, trace the funds, and initiate recovery procedures, including legal action where necessary. The support of the courts and specialized services is expected to accelerate the processing of cases and ensure full traceability of the recovery operations. The government’s message is clear: zero tolerance for unpaid debts. Before taking strict enforcement measures, the government is giving defaulting debtors a reasonable grace period to fulfill their financial obligations. Once that deadline expires, legal sanctions and recovery measures will be enforced. The recovery of the US$350 million is considered essential to restoring the FPI’s capacity to support economic development. The recovered funds will be used to finance new industrial projects, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and create jobs. The government has pledged to provide regular updates on the progress of the recovery campaign and the amounts collected, in order to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of these public resources. Patrick LOKONI

OCC: Director General Pierre Lohohola Resolutely Committed to Performance-Based Leadership in Greater Katanga

As a member of the delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya, during several weeks of field missions in Greater Katanga, the Director General of the Congolese Control Office (OCC), Professor Pierre Lohohola Osomba, took the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the realities of the institution’s various services in a region considered highly strategic for the country. There is no need to reiterate that Greater Katanga plays a pivotal role in the national economy. For the OCC Director General, this field visit was aimed at assessing the operational efficiency of the various entities, examining the condition of infrastructure and setting a clear performance-oriented direction for the institution’s activities in this part of the national territory. A committed supporter of President Félix Tshisekedi’s vision of transforming the Democratic Republic of the Congo into an unavoidable development hub at the heart of Africa, the Director General of the Congolese Control Office actively participated in all the activities, including the inspection of border operations, the strengthening of cooperation with the Zambian authorities, and preparations for the implementation of the Simplified Trade Regime (RECOS). This mechanism is designed to facilitate trade and reduce the administrative burden on small cross-border traders operating along the southern corridor. It is worth recalling that the OCC plays a decisive role as a regulator of cross-border trade flows. Under the leadership of Director General Lohohola Osomba, the OCC is tasked with ensuring the compliance, quality and safety of goods entering and leaving the national territory, in order to protect consumers and ensure fair competition. The institution is thus asserting itself as a key driver of economic activity by adapting its certification methods to make them more agile and responsive to the realities of small-scale cross-border trade. Professor Pierre Lohohola conducted a veritable marathon of strategic meetings at the headquarters of the Haut-Katanga Provincial Directorate. These included discussions with the Management Committee extended to Agency Heads, a meeting with the Trade Union Delegation, and a session with AFOCC, focusing on internal cohesion and the institution’s management vision. Visit to the State-of-the-Art Laboratories in Lubumbashi Accompanied by Mr. Gaby Lumba, Head of RELAN, the Director General inspected Lubumbashi’s modern laboratories. He expressed particular satisfaction and pride in the state-of-the-art equipment installed there, which stands as a source of pride for the Office and guarantees the accuracy of physicochemical and microbiological analyses aimed at protecting the Congolese population. Kasumbalesa: Supporting the “Produce Congolese” Initiative Alongside an interministerial delegation led by Julien Paluku, Minister of Foreign Trade, and Justin Kalumba, Minister of Industry, the mission travelled to Kasumbalesa for the launch of new industrial units of the VINMART Group, including the manufacture of electrical transformers, armoured cables made from locally sourced copper, and the laying of the foundation stone for a lubricants plant. Professor Pierre Lohohola Osomba affirmed the OCC’s decisive involvement in this industrial turning point. By ensuring quality control at the source and compliance with standards, the OCC contributes to guaranteeing the viability of the country’s industrial recovery. In Kipushi, the Director General conducted a targeted working visit to KKICO Mining, a subsidiary of Kipushi Mining, further strengthening the technical partnership for the control and certification of mining products destined for export. Likasi: Continuing the Field Mission The tour continued in Likasi, where the Director General received a particularly warm welcome from the local staff. Kalemie (Tanganyika): Assessing Border and Lake Infrastructure Professor Pierre Lohohola arrived in Kalemie to assess the functioning of border and lake-based infrastructure. Tenke Fungurume: Official Welcome and Laboratory Inspection At Tenke Fungurume, the Director General received an official welcome, held a working session with staff and conducted a thorough inspection of the physicochemical testing laboratory. This inspection and working tour fully aligns with the objective of assessing infrastructure on the ground, monitoring the functioning of services and maintaining direct dialogue with the Office’s employees. It enabled the OCC Director General to gain a deeper understanding of the realities on the ground, identify major achievements and precisely assess the challenges and difficulties faced by the provincial entities. Following this assessment, Professor Pierre Lohohola Osomba reassured the provincial entities of his commitment to providing concrete and appropriate solutions to the concerns identified. He also reaffirmed his firm determination to pursue the modernization and continuous improvement of the performance of the Office’s physicochemical and microbiological analysis laboratories. At the conclusion of this official mission, the Director General expressed his full satisfaction with the high quality of the equipment available to the OCC, while reaffirming the institution’s indispensable role in safeguarding the health and economic security of the Congolese people and the State. Patrick LOKONI