The importance of the Public Treasury of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the country’s economy cannot be underestimated. Recently, it was announced that the Public Treasury posted a surplus balance of 378.2 billion Congolese Francs (CDF), or $187.1 million at the average 2021 budget rate, year-to-date. This demonstrates good management of public finances and an increase in revenue.
According to the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF), public revenue reached 12,691.6 billion Congolese Francs (CDF), or approximately 6.2 billion US dollars. This demonstrates an ability to mobilize the necessary resources to support public spending and finance development programs.
However, it is important to note that government spending was high, amounting to 12,343.8 billion Congolese Francs (CDF), or more than 6.1 billion US dollars. This situation raises questions about the need to control spending and improve the efficiency of the use of public resources.
On the other hand, the Central Bank of Congo (BCC) reports that the Public Treasury posted a deficit balance of 1,262.1 billion Congolese Francs (CDF) as of July 21, 2023, against a programmed deficit of 238.7 billion Francs. Congolese (CDF). This disparity between IGF and BCC data raises questions about the reliability of public financial information.
In terms of cumulative annual revenue and expenditure, the figures are also different. Public revenue reached 10,035.6 billion Congolese Francs (CDF) while public expenditure amounted to 11,297.7 billion Congolese Francs (CDF). This highlights an imbalance between revenues and expenditures, requiring better planning and more rigorous management of finances.
In conclusion, although the DRC’s Public Treasury displays a surplus balance on an annual basis, it is important to continue to monitor and improve the management of public finances. The discrepancies between the IGF and BCC data highlight the need for more transparency and reliability in the country’s financial reporting. It is essential to adopt measures to rationalize public spending and ensure efficient use of resources to support the economic and social development of the DRC.