The Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC), a nation frequently cited among the most affected by corruption and consistently ranking low on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), appears to be turning a new page in its history. This shift is particularly evident in the renewed commitment to combating corruption, a challenge that has persisted since the country gained independence.
While past efforts to tackle this pervasive issue often amounted to mere political rhetoric and declarations of intent, the RDC government has now taken decisive action. It recently reviewed and officially adopted a significant anti-corruption bill, signaling a move from discourse to concrete legislative measures.
The proposed legislation was presented during a Council of Ministers meeting held on Friday, June 26, 2026. Marc Ekila, the Minister of State for Professional Training, introduced the bill on behalf of Guillaume Ngefa, the Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, who was on official mission. This pivotal text aims to significantly bolster the national legal framework designed to combat corruption and related offenses.
Drawing its legal foundation from articles 67, 122.6, 123, and 215 of the RDC Constitution, this anti-corruption bill seeks to broaden the scope of existing prevention and repression mechanisms. According to explanations provided during the Council meeting, the bill is specifically designed to “strengthen the fight against corruption and related offenses” while ensuring “the widest possible extension of its application” across various sectors.
“This text aims to reinforce the battle against corruption and associated crimes, ensuring the broadest possible coverage. It strengthens the deterrent effect of penalties and is structured around three key pillars: prevention, detection, repression, and judicial procedures,” detailed the official meeting minutes.
Key innovations introduced in the bill include the integration of international cooperation and the recovery of illicit assets. These elements are deemed crucial for dismantling corruption networks and reclaiming misappropriated public funds. Furthermore, the legislation mandates private sector companies to establish internal anti-corruption measures and explicitly prohibits opaque accounting practices.
“This bill introduces innovative provisions by integrating international cooperation and the recovery of illicit assets as a crucial step. It also obliges private sector companies to implement internal anti-corruption mechanisms and forbids non-transparent accounting practices,” the Council of Ministers’ report further elaborated.
Through this comprehensive reform, the government intends to modernize the Congolese legal framework and enhance tools for transparency, accountability, and robust governance in both public and private affairs. Following its adoption by the government, the bill will proceed to Parliament for deliberation. It must then be approved by both the National Assembly and the Senate before receiving presidential promulgation.
Since Félix Tshisekedi assumed the highest office, efforts have been made in this area, including the revitalization of the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF), the Court of Auditors, and other state control services. However, many observers contend that these initiatives remain insufficient given the widespread nature of corruption within Congolese society. Numerous organizations, along with economic and financial experts, have repeatedly called for the country to be equipped with a truly robust anti-corruption law.
