The Democratic Republic of Congo’s standardized invoice reform could generate about $200 million in additional revenue by the end of 2026, Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba said in an interview published by Geopolis Magazine on March 13, 2026.

The projection comes as value-added tax (VAT) accounts for a significant share of public revenue. According to the 2023 annual report of the General Directorate of Taxes (DGI), 8,895 companies collected VAT on behalf of the state, totaling 2,776.2 billion Congolese francs, or 23.7% of tax revenue.

Authorities see tighter oversight of VAT as a key lever to mobilize domestic resources. The standardized invoice reform aims to strengthen the traceability of commercial transactions and limit fraud or under-reporting through secure billing tools connected to the tax administration.

Implementation accelerated early this year. On March 1, 2026, the Finance Ministry launched a support program for economic operators to facilitate compliance with the new system. The initiative includes the distribution of 4,000 electronic fiscal devices (EFDs) used to issue secure electronic invoices.

The equipment will be allocated to eligible operators on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to available stock. Beneficiary companies must, however, cover certain related services, including activation, training and technical maintenance.

The reform is part of a broader process launched in 2025. In June 2025, the DGI began certifying company billing systems, with the objective of gradually restricting invoice issuance to software compliant with tax administration requirements.

Through the standardized invoice system, the government aims to strengthen VAT collection, improve tax transparency and boost domestic revenue amid increasing pressure on public finances.

Boaz Kabeya