DRC Prime Minister Pledges Action on Domestic Debt Amid Economic Challenges
DRC Domestic Debt Reaches $5.43B: Prime Minister Outlines New Repayment Plan
The issue of domestic debt repayment was addressed on November 25, 2025, during the opening of Makutano 2025, themed “Contracts in Congo: Time for a Choice.” The event brought together political leaders and private sector representatives to discuss key drivers of economic development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Responding to questions about whether the government would consider financial engineering to resolve a debt issue that has persisted for over two decades, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka acknowledged the urgent need for action.
She explained that a repayment plan was already in place but was disrupted by security challenges in eastern DRC, particularly the AFC/M23 rebellion.
“One thing is certain: we are well aware that this issue must be resolved one way or another. These domestic debts are a mixed bag, with some cases being legitimate and contracts properly awarded.
The State has an obligation to repay these resources. Unfortunately, the war disrupted the original plan, but resolving these debts is now more urgent than ever,” Prime Minister Tuluka said at the Sultani Hotel in Kinshasa.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the distinction between legitimate claims and fabricated cases, reassuring stakeholders that only valid debts would be repaid. “The State cannot pay for cases that are completely fabricated.
But for debts that are legitimately owed, we have no choice—we must act, and the repayment plan will be revised to resume as quickly as possible,” she stated.
Domestic Debt Trends in the DRC
Data from the Directorate General of Public Debt (DGDP) shows that domestic debt rose moderately before 2021, fluctuating between $1.34 billion and $1.41 billion from 2010 to 2015, then climbing steadily from $1.82 billion in 2016 to $2.52 billion in 2021. The increase became sharper from 2022 onward, reaching $3.84 billion in 2022, $5.56 billion in 2024, and $5.50 billion in the first half of 2025.
As of June 30, 2025, domestic debt totaled $5.432 billion, composed of:
Certified and validated arrears: $989.67 million (18%)
Certified but unvalidated arrears: $720.28 million (13%)
Memoranda of understanding: $412.84 million (8%)
Arrears owed to the Central Bank: $1.416 billion (26%)
Government securities: $1.893 billion (35%)
The DGDP attributes the increase to the expansion of government securities in the domestic market and the revaluation of previous advances from the Central Bank to the Treasury.
Economic Significance
Experts note that domestic debt repayment is critical for stimulating the economy during crises, financing public investments, and supporting households and businesses. However, excessive debt carries risks, including higher interest payments, reduced investment, and long-term economic fragility.
Prime Minister Tuluka’s remarks signal that the DRC government is preparing a revised domestic debt repayment plan to restore financial stability, support economic growth, and protect public and private sector stakeholders.
