The Democratic Republic of Congo's Inspectorate General of Finance (IGF) plans to spend $39 million over the next three years to modernize its oversight of public spending, as the institution seeks to shift toward a data-driven control system based on interconnected government databases and artificial intelligence.

According to the IGF, $22 million in financing has already been secured, covering nearly 56% of the project's total cost. The institution still needs to mobilize about $17 million, including through additional credit lines in the state investment budget.

The reform plan was presented by IGF chief Christophe Bitasimwa. It aims to overhaul public finance control methods by reducing reliance on periodic field inspection missions in favor of a more permanent, systemic and preventive oversight model.

The strategy centers on linking the IGF to several government information systems, including those used by financial authorities, customs services, payroll management, public procurement agencies and other institutions involved in managing state revenues and expenditures.

Data-driven oversight

The infrastructure is expected to enable cross-checking of data across administrations, identification of inconsistencies, risk mapping and faster detection of potential fraud, tax evasion and misuse of public funds.

The IGF also plans to move toward a more analytical oversight approach. Retrospective and real-time audits are expected to be gradually supplemented by forward-looking controls based on historical data analysis, digital traceability and automated analytical tools. Artificial intelligence is expected to play a central role in the reform.

The initiative follows several audit operations through which the IGF says it generated substantial savings for the state. According to the institution, it contributed to around $690 million in savings on repayments linked to state-backed loans.

The IGF also says it identified 38,597 ghost workers and 1,007 duplicate records in government payroll files, with a combined monthly fiscal impact estimated at 15.786 billion Congolese francs.

The success of the modernization plan will depend on several factors, including securing the remaining financing, strengthening technical capabilities and ensuring effective integration of public databases.

The project also faces structural challenges related to internet connectivity, electricity supply, cybersecurity and domestic hosting of sensitive public data.

Ronsard Luabeya