DRC: Urged to Sustain FATF Grey List Exit Reforms Momentum

• The Democratic Republic of Congo was removed from the FATF grey list on October 30, 2026.
• Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka emphasized the need for continued financial governance reforms despite this exit.
• The government views the FATF exit as an opportunity to permanently strengthen its national financial crime prevention system.
• Ministers are tasked with ensuring effective measure implementation, continuous control, and enhanced inter-service cooperation.
• The government also announced a new dry port in Tanzania and $35 million for retired ONATRA agents.

The government views its exit from the FATF grey list not as an endpoint, but as a strategic opportunity to permanently fortify the national system for preventing financial crime.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is being urged to maintain its momentum in financial governance reforms, despite its recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, an announcement made on October 30, 2026. This critical topic was a central point of discussion during the 102nd Council of Ministers meeting, convened at the Cité de l’Union africaine under the direct instruction of the President. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka presided over the session, emphasizing the government's commitment to robust financial oversight.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Tuluka commended the President's dedicated efforts in enhancing financial governance and bolstering the nation's anti-money laundering (AML) framework. She specifically acknowledged the vital contributions of the Ministries of Justice and Finance, alongside other pertinent agencies, including the National Financial Intelligence Unit (CENAREF), in achieving this significant milestone. The Prime Minister, however, underscored that this achievement marks a new phase, necessitating sustained reforms to solidify the progress made and ensure lasting improvements in the DRC's financial integrity.

The Prime Minister's directive mandates that each relevant minister must ensure the effective implementation of measures within their respective sectors. This includes maintaining continuous control activities and fostering enhanced cooperation among competent services. The government views its exit from the FATF grey list not as an endpoint, but as a strategic opportunity to permanently fortify the national system for preventing financial crime. This will be achieved through the consistent execution of a permanent and sustainable national policy, aligning with international FATF recommendations DRC.

This ongoing commitment to financial governance means that the DRC anti-money laundering compliance landscape remains dynamic. The government's stated ambition is to embed a robust framework that continuously addresses financial crime risks. For legal and compliance professionals, this signals a need for continued vigilance and the strengthening of existing AML/CFT frameworks for any entities operating in or with the RDC, ensuring adherence to evolving Congo AML CFT regulations.

Beyond financial governance, Prime Minister Suminwa Tuluka also unveiled several other key initiatives during the Council of Ministers meeting, reflecting a comprehensive national development agenda. Tanzania has allocated a 45-hectare site at Kwala to the DRC for the establishment of a Congolese dry port. This infrastructure is designed to streamline the reception, storage, processing, and customs clearance of goods, with a particular focus on the crucial mining sector. Additionally, another parcel of land has been granted to the DRC in Dodoma, Tanzania's administrative capital, for the construction of its future embassy.

Addressing long-standing social issues, the Prime Minister announced the release of a $35 million fund designated for the social entitlements of retired agents from the National Transport Office (ONATRA). This initiative tackles a problem that has persisted for over thirteen years and forms part of the government's broader strategy to clear social liabilities across public enterprises. This approach is slated for gradual expansion to other state-owned companies facing substantial social arrears, such as the National Railway Company of Congo (SNCC), and potentially to certain public service cases.

The Prime Minister instructed the Vice-Prime Minister for Transport and the Minister of Portfolio to present a detailed payment schedule for ONATRA retirees within thirty days, outlining effective payment modalities and proposals for extending this system to other affected companies. These diverse announcements collectively underscore the priorities of the 2024-2028 Government Action Program, which places significant emphasis on financial governance, economic development, and improving social conditions.

Despite the Democratic Republic of Congo's removal from the FATF grey list, the government's commitment to continued financial governance reforms means lawyers and compliance officers must advise clients operating in or with the DRC to maintain and strengthen robust anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) compliance frameworks. This signals an ongoing, rather than relaxed, regulatory environment requiring continuous vigilance.

Source: Original reporting via Congolese government communications.