Congo government approves anti-corruption law draft

In a historic move signaling a new era in governance, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has formally adopted a crucial legislative draft aimed at strengthening the national fight against corruption. This landmark decision comes during a Friday, June 26, 2026 cabinet meeting presided over by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, Guillaume Ngefa, represented by the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Vocational Training, Marc Ekila.

a comprehensive legal framework against corruption

The newly adopted draft law is designed to significantly expand the scope of existing legal mechanisms for both prevention and repression of corrupt practices. Rooted in Articles 67, 122.6, 123, and 215 of the DRC Constitution, the legislation seeks to fortify the arsenal against corruption and related offenses by enhancing their deterrent effect and broadening their applicability.

The draft law introduces several groundbreaking innovations, including the integration of international cooperation and asset recovery as essential components of anti-corruption efforts. These measures are intended to dismantle transnational corruption networks and recover misappropriated public funds. Additionally, the law mandates private sector companies to establish internal compliance systems to prevent corrupt practices and prohibits opaque accounting methods.

key innovations introduced

• international cooperation: Facilitates collaboration with foreign jurisdictions to track and repatriate illicit funds and prosecute cross-border corruption cases.
• asset recovery: Strengthens mechanisms to identify, seize, and return embezzled public resources, both domestically and internationally.
• private sector accountability: Requires businesses to implement anti-corruption compliance programs and maintain transparent financial records.
• deterrent penalties: Increases the severity of punishments for corruption-related offenses to serve as a stronger deterrent.

The draft law is structured around four core pillars: prevention, detection, repression, and procedural efficiency. These pillars reflect a holistic approach to combating corruption, addressing not only punitive measures but also preventive and restorative actions.

next steps in the legislative process

Following its adoption by the government, the draft law will be submitted to Parliament for review and debate. The legislative process will involve consideration by both the National Assembly and the Senate before final approval and promulgation by the Head of State. This multi-stage process ensures thorough scrutiny and public accountability.

While this legislative advancement is a significant step, it follows years of calls from civil society organizations, economic experts, and international partners for a robust legal framework to address the pervasive issue of corruption in the DRC. Since President Félix Tshisekedi took office, efforts have been made to revitalize oversight institutions such as the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) and the Audit Court. However, critics argue that these measures have not yet matched the scale of the corruption challenge facing Congolese society.

The adoption of this draft law marks a pivotal moment in the DRC’s ongoing efforts to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance. It reflects a commitment to modernizing the legal framework governing public and private sector activities while aligning with international best practices in anti-corruption measures.

This report was filed from Kinshasa.