The draft finance law for the 2025 financial year in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) raises serious concerns within civil society. The critical analysis report published by the Economic Governance and Democracy Network (REGED) highlights budgetary anomalies impacting essential sectors such as health, education and agriculture.
Indeed, the figures revealed in this report raise crucial questions about the prioritization of public spending and consistency with national and international commitments. The decline in funding allocated to health and education is alarming, as it compromises the implementation of major policies such as free education and access to health care for all.
The observation of a continuous decline in budget allocations to these key sectors highlights major challenges in terms of human and social development. The quality of education risks being compromised, and the working conditions of teachers are also threatened. In addition, public health is suffering, with potentially disastrous consequences for the Congolese population.
With regard to agriculture, the lack of funding for agricultural mechanization brigades and the rehabilitation of agricultural roads highlights the challenges faced by the sector. The lack of adequate investment risks hampering the country’s agricultural potential and compromising food self-sufficiency.
REGED’s recommendations for increased funding for health, education and agriculture are essential to ensure that national and international priorities are met. It is imperative that the government and parliamentarians take these recommendations into account in order to ensure the well-being and development of the Congolese population.
Budget transparency and better execution of public expenditure are also key elements to ensure the efficient and equitable use of resources. Monitoring of budget execution by civil society and parliamentarians is essential to ensure that public funds are allocated efficiently and for the benefit of all citizens.
In sum, it is imperative that concrete steps are taken to rectify the inconsistencies and gaps in the DRC’s 2025 draft finance law. The future of the country largely depends on how public resources are managed and allocated, and it is essential that national priorities in health, education and agriculture are fully taken into account in future budgetary policies.