In the République démocratique du Congo, a nation that has historically struggled with systemic graft and low rankings on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), a new chapter in the fight against financial crime is beginning.
While past efforts to address this issue were often criticized as mere political posturing, the current administration has transitioned to concrete action. The government has officially reviewed and adopted a draft law specifically aimed at eradicating corruption throughout the RDC.
A robust legal framework for accountability
The legislative text was presented during a Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, June 26, 2026. Marc Ekila, the Minister of State for Vocational Training, introduced the bill on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Guillaume Ngefa, who was traveling on official business. This new proposal is designed to significantly bolster the country’s judicial tools against corruption and similar infractions.
Anchored in Articles 67, 122.6, 123, and 215 of the Constitution of the RDC, the draft law seeks to expand the scope of prevention and punishment. The executive branch aims to ensure that these new mechanisms have the broadest possible reach to effectively deter illegal activities and hold offenders accountable.
Key innovations and asset recovery
The proposed legislation introduces several major shifts in strategy, focusing on three essential areas: prevention, detection, and repression. One of the most significant advancements is the formal inclusion of international cooperation and the recovery of illicit assets. These elements are considered crucial for dismantling cross-border corruption networks and returning stolen public resources to the state.
The draft law also places new responsibilities on the private sector. Companies will be mandated to implement internal anti-corruption systems, and the bill explicitly forbids the use of opaque accounting practices that facilitate the hiding of illegal transactions.
Through these reforms, the government intends to modernize the legal landscape and instill higher standards of transparency and good governance in both public and private sectors. Following its adoption by the cabinet, the bill will be transmitted to Parliament for debate. It must be approved by both the National Assembly and the Senate before it can be officially promulgated by the President of the République.
Since the start of Félix Tshisekedi’s presidency, there has been a renewed focus on state oversight, particularly through the revitalization of the Inspection générale des finances (IGF) and the Court of Auditors. However, many experts and civil society organizations have argued that these steps, while positive, remain insufficient given the depth of the challenge. This new legislative push serves as a direct response to those calls for a more comprehensive and dedicated anti-corruption law.