The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is seeking to accelerate the development of its capital market with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

On June 18, 2026, the Ministry of Finance and the World Bank Group member signed a partnership agreement in Kinshasa aimed at supporting the development of the planned Kinshasa Stock Exchange.

The agreement was signed by Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba and IFC Country Director Malick Fall.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance, the partnership will cover several strategic areas, including the development of the regulatory framework, the establishment of financial market infrastructure, capacity building for market participants, knowledge sharing, expansion of the investor base and support for the first stock market transactions.

Allowing Congolese Citizens to Become Shareholders

For Malick Fall, the initiative goes beyond providing technical support for the creation of a stock exchange.

"Strong capital markets mean access to long-term financing for companies, the opportunity for Congolese citizens to become shareholders in their own economy, and a powerful tool for diversifying sources of growth well beyond natural resources," he said.

Fwamba also emphasized the need to introduce incentives that would encourage companies to use the future market. He said authorities could eventually require certain large companies to raise capital or sell shares through the planned Kinshasa Stock Exchange.

The government's objective is twofold: to improve transparency in capital market transactions and channel more domestic savings into productive investment. According to the finance minister, the reform should also enable Congolese citizens to acquire stakes in companies operating in strategic sectors such as mining, telecommunications and infrastructure.

The agreement comes as the DRC continues the legislative process required to establish a national stock market.

Draft Law

The draft law governing financial markets and establishing the Kinshasa Stock Exchange has already been approved by the National Assembly and accepted for consideration by the Senate.

The legislation provides for the organization of the national stock market, the regulation of financial instruments such as shares, bonds and financial contracts, and the creation of a Capital Markets Authority.

The authority would be responsible for ensuring the transparency, credibility and security of operations on the future financial market. Its establishment will be critical to maintaining the confidence of investors, issuers and the broader public.

In April 2025, with support from the African Development Fund, the government invited firms to submit expressions of interest for a feasibility study and business plan for the establishment of a securities exchange in the DRC.

The partnership with the IFC therefore marks another step toward the development of the country's capital market. However, its success will depend on the strength of the regulatory framework, the credibility of the supervisory authority, the participation of major companies and the ability to attract a sufficiently broad base of local and institutional investors.

Ronsard Luabeya