Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba met with a delegation from JPMorgan Chase & Co. on Oct. 17, 2025, during the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings. According to the Ministry, the talks are part of efforts to strengthen the country’s international credibility and raise its profile in capital markets.

Fwamba is preparing the DRC’s first Eurobond issue, a deal expected before June 30, 2026, to raise $1.5 billion. JPMorgan, which has advised several African states including Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Angola, specializes in structuring sovereign bond transactions.

At the meeting, Fwamba highlighted macroeconomic stability and ongoing reforms to improve transparency in public financial management. “We want investors to see the DRC as a reliable partner committed to sustainable development,” he said, citing efforts to fight corruption and strengthen public finances.

JPMorgan welcomed progress on the business climate and expressed interest in further engagement with Congolese authorities. The bank plans a working visit to Kinshasa in the coming weeks.

The DRC’s inflation has fallen to 7.8% from 15.1% a year earlier, while the Congolese franc has gained about 23% on the official market, trading near 2,200 per dollar. The country’s public debt stands at a modest 22.5% of GDP, with speculative ratings of B- (S&P) and B3 (Moody’s), both stable.

However, analysts say the DRC’s continued inclusion on the FATF gray list remains a key obstacle, keeping the country tagged as high-risk for money laundering and terrorist financing. Despite efforts to comply, the FATF said in June that “work remains to be done.”

Ronsard Luabeya