Sama Lukonde Urges Kazadi to Expedite National Development Bank Creation

During the 115th ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde confirmed the commitment of the Government of the Republic to reduce its dependence on the mining sector by favoring the diversification of economic activities. The objective is to fully exploit the country’s potential in terms of energy, forestry, agriculture and the environment.

In addition to the importance given to the development of infrastructure, tourism, improvement of the supply of drinking water and electricity, the government considers the agricultural sector as the cornerstone of this diversification. 

This approach aims to increase the supply of goods on the domestic market, reduce imports in the short term, and increase exports in the medium term, while improving the foreign exchange supply.

With this in mind, the Prime Minister instructed Nicolas Kazadi, the Minister of Finance, to urgently finalize the file for the creation of the National Development Bank. 

This financial institution will be a key tool for the financing policy of the economy, allowing the government to direct funds towards priority sectors such as agriculture, tourism, fishing, livestock, and the promotion of class average.

In 2022, the Ministry of Finance mandated the FINACTU Group for the operationalization of the Development Bank of the DRC. 

This bank’s mission will be to support the national economy by improving access to financing for Congolese companies and by financing structuring public and private projects. The objective is to strengthen the role of the State in creating an ecosystem conducive to the development of the country.

The creation of the National Development Bank is a key element among the “28 urgent measures for the stabilization and revival of the national economy” announced by the Congolese government in 2016.

It is expected to contribute significantly to the diversification of the Congolese economy and the achievement of the country’s development objectives