The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) plans to introduce national standards to regulate its public works and construction sector, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works (ITP) said in a statement dated Oct. 22, 2025.

The move follows a decree establishing a National Standards Commission, which has 18 months to design a framework tailored to the country’s geological, climatic, and socio-economic conditions. Implementation of the new standards is expected by 2027.

The commission will include representatives from line ministries, the Roads and Drainage Office (OVD), the Congolese Agency for Major Works (ACGT), the Order of Engineers, universities, and the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC). Its composition aims to combine technical expertise with market needs and contributions from both public and private stakeholders.

Six categories of standards will be developed by specialized sub-commissions to ensure appropriate approaches for different types of construction projects and materials. The decree also requires that the new framework be harmonized with regional and international benchmarks, to make it easier for foreign firms to enter the Congolese market and for local companies to compete in regional projects.

The initiative follows a January appeal by Jean Kakwende, executive secretary of the BTP Club and the Chamber of Trades and Artisans, who criticized the lack of a regulatory framework in the DRC’s construction sector. He warned that this gap undermines public safety and infrastructure quality, saying, “Without standards, there can be no sustainable development.”

The reform aligns with President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi’s focus on construction, infrastructure, and housing as key drivers of economic transformation.

While the construction sector creates at least 500,000 jobs a year, it suffers from widespread non-compliance, leading to repeated building collapses and loss of life. Recent incidents include the collapse of a building under construction in Bunia, which caused several casualties, and the deaths of five workers in Kinshasa’s Matete commune when a concrete block collapsed during drainage work.

These accidents highlight the consequences of failing to follow technical standards in public works projects. The rapid degradation of public infrastructure, particularly roads, often occurring just months after completion, has become a well-known issue.

The introduction of mandatory standards aims to cut rehabilitation costs, improve worksite safety, and extend the lifespan of public investments.

Timothée Manoke