** Analysis of the 2025 budget of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: between results encouragement and economic challenges **
The year 2025 marked a significant turning point for public finances of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with collected revenues reaching 5,723.035 billion Congolese francs, exceeding forecasts of 5,244.7 billion CDF. This result, which reaches an execution rate of 109 %, testifies to a mobilization of significant intra-national resources, highlighting thanks to the active efforts of financial agencies, in particular the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI) and the General Directorate of Administrative, Judicial, Domanial and Participation Revenues (DGRAD). These performances deserve to be praised, because they reveal a dynamism in tax management which could be a model to follow.
Under the leadership of the Minister of Finance, Doudou Fwamba Likunde, the financial results indicate a desire to improve budgetary governance and to strengthen tax discipline. The emphasis on the optimization of internal resources is promising, especially in a context where the desire to respect budgetary rigor is vital for the development of the country.
However, behind these encouraging figures, hides a more complex budgetary reality. Indeed, public spending reached 7,360.420 billion CDF, an execution rate by 126 %, significantly increasing the budget deficit initially projected. This deficit, reassessed at 1,637.384 billion CDF – almost three times more than forecasts – raises the question of long -term financial sustainability of the country. The security situation, particularly in the east of the DRC, requires pressing and essential expenses which, although justified, call for reflection on public spending.
The security imperatives, engendered by the persistence of armed conflicts in the region, require considerable resources and therefore unbalance the budgetary equation. This raises the following question: how to guarantee security while preserving investments in other essential areas such as education and health? The need to finance military operations cannot make us forget the importance of balanced and full human development.
It is important to note that the financing of the deficit was carried out in a cautious manner, thanks to a cash flow and a controlled program of bonds of the Treasury, following the directives of the Ministry of Finance. This financing mechanism places the DRC in a relatively healthy position, but also raises questions about dependence on these means of financing. What are the limits? What are the risks associated with such a strategy in a context of a scale of insecurity and economic uncertainty?
In the global context, the leadership of the Head of State, Félix Tshisekedi, is highlighted in the efforts to mobilize revenue and expenditure control. If this general framework can arouse hope for the future, it is vital not to lose sight of the realities on the ground. The balance between revenues and expenses remains a central challenge and a necessity for the sustainability of national development projects.
In perspective, the DRC must consider avenues for improvement. Reinforcement of the capacities of financial agencies could make it possible to even increase the basis of collection of revenue, while a re -evaluation of the expenditure priorities is crucial to ensure a harmonious and balanced realization of its budget. The authorities could also explore partnerships with civil society and the private sector, to diversify funding sources and promote more inclusive and participative management in economic decision -making.
In conclusion, the DRC is at a crucial crossroads: a lot of encouraging results in terms of revenue, it must nevertheless navigate cautiously through the budgetary challenges posed by raised public spending, in particular related to security. A collective and concerted reflection is necessary to envisage a future where socio-economic security and development can coexist, thus guaranteeing a living environment conducive to the development of the Congolese.