** Title: Administrative Revolution in the DRC: the biometric turning point at the heart of the modernization of the State **
The initiative launched by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to start control and a biometric census of agents and officials from April 2025 represents a real revolution in the management of public administration. This approach, announced during the Council of Ministers of March 28, 2025 by Deputy Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Lihau Ebwa, may well transform the way in which the Congolese state interacts with its administrative base while generating substantial economies. However, beyond the simple optimization of resources, this initiative is also part of a larger process of modernization and harmonization of public administration.
### A necessity in the face of budgetary challenges
By analyzing the government proposal, it is relevant to underline the economic context in which it is registered. The DRC, like many developing countries, faces considerable budgetary challenges. According to recent data, the public spending ratio compared to GDP is greater than the average of the countries of the region, which leads to a heavyly heavy tax burden on citizens. In this context, the rationalization of enrollment and remuneration expenses appears to be a necessity to redress public finances.
By carrying out a biometric census, the government not only intends to control the staff of the administration, but also fight against payroll fraud, a recurring problem in many African countries. Indeed, studies show that almost 10 to 30% of wages paid in public environments often go to fictitious employees, practices that undermine public confidence in institutions. Compared, countries like Ghana and Nigeria have already made such censuses with a positive budget impact by reducing expenses related to false jobs and improving tax revenue.
### to a rigorous and transparent control process
The biometric census project, in partnership with the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF), is also a response to the growing demand for transparency in the management of public funds. Congolese citizens, after decades marked by corruption and poor management, aspire to a more responsible administration. This control process, which will affect 387 services benefiting from annexed budgets, is a first step towards a complete modernization of public administration. Individual biometric identification, scheduled for July 1, 2025, will offer additional guarantees on the real identity of each agent, which could also be used as a lever for other reforms in different state sectors.
### An implementation challenge
However, the implementation of this project will not be without challenges. The experience of other countries in terms of biometric census shows that such an initiative may encounter obstacles, especially in terms of infrastructure, technology and acceptance by the agents concerned. It will therefore be crucial for the government to ensure that agents are properly informed and prepared for this transition. The education and awareness of agents to the importance of this process will be key elements to ensure its success.
### Potential impacts on national development
Beyond immediate savings, the biometric census could also have long-term impact on the country’s economic development. By providing a more effective public administration, the DRC can create a more conducive environment for national and foreign investments. A transparent and well -managed state is often perceived as a better trading partner, thus attracting more investments which can contribute to the creation of jobs and the reduction of poverty.
### In conclusion
The biometric census initiative in the DRC may mark a decisive turning point in the way public administration is perceived and managed. Although challenges remain, this approach shows a desire to reform and modernize public services to better meet the needs of citizens. Transparency, responsibility and efficiency, now at the heart of government concerns, may give birth to a new paradigm in matters of governance in the DRC. In the future, the success of this initiative will not only be evaluated on the basis of the economies made, but also on its impact on public confidence in its government and the reconstruction of an administration at the service of the common good.