** Title: UBA DRC: The new agency of Matadi and the challenges of banking expansion in the Democratic Republic of Congo **
The banking landscape in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is changing, and the opening of the first agency of United Bank for Africa (UBA) in Matadi, on March 25, 2025, symbolizes this transformation. While financial institutions strive to strengthen their presence and reach a population in search of reliable banking services, this event arouses broader questions about the implications of this expansion for the local and national economy.
### A proximity strategy to reach non-banuries
Matadi, a strategic city located in the province of Kwanza, is the first interior port of the DRC. Despite its important economic potential, a third of the Congolese population remains unwavering, according to data from the World Bank. UBA DRC’s initiative to open an agency in Matadi responds to an pressing necessity: that of providing financial services to the segments of the population often relegated away from banking access.
Access to a local bank in the heart of the port city will not only make it possible to facilitate daily transactions – as well as the payment of wages for workers in the maritime and commercial sector – also to educate a population which still has to learn to navigate in the financial world. Thanks to this new agency, UBA hopes to stimulate savings culture and offer products adapted to the needs of local entrepreneurs, which are often disabilities by a lack of access to credit.
### a difficult but promising economic context
The DRC, despite the considerable challenges it faces, experienced its GDP growth of approximately 3.5% in 2024, a sign of economic resilience. However, the country continues to combat obstacles such as corruption, political instability and an underdeveloped infrastructure. The extension of the banking network is of crucial importance for economic development.
In this context, it would be interesting to compare the development of the bank in the DRC with that of other African countries. For example, Côte d’Ivoire managed to reduce the percentage of non-banking by 54% in 2011 to only 28% in 2021, mainly thanks to awareness campaigns and the implementation of mobile banking services. UBA DRC can learn from these experiences to establish targeted strategies on a regional scale.
### long-term socio-economic impact
The creation of a UBA agency in Matadi goes beyond the banking aspect; It could also cause repercussions on the socio-economic fabric of the region. The increase in the availability of financial services could ultimately support the development of micro-enterprises and encourage innovation. Studies show that an access extended to banking services leads to an increase in local investment and the creation of jobs.
However, it is essential to keep in mind that technological challenges should not be underestimated. The development of a reliable internet infrastructure is fundamental for banking expansion to be a real success. Several Congolese cities, Matadi include, are still suffering from limited internet access, which could affect the adoption of online banking services.
### Conclusion
The launch of the UBA agency in Matadi represents a significant advance for the banking sector in the DRC and for the city itself. Through its commitment to rendering financial services accessible to all, UBA DRC makes a decision that goes beyond the simple business; It affects a crucial question for the country’s economic future. By initiating solid strategies while learning experiences from other African countries, UBA could help transform the DRC into a place where financial opportunities are at hand.
It will therefore be crucial to monitor future developments in the Congolese banking sector. This first step towards greater financial inclusion could well turn into a model to follow for other companies, thus putting the DRC on the path of sustainable prosperity.