EquityBCDC has launched the Libanga account, a new banking service tailored to informal sector workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including motorcycle taxi drivers, farmers, small traders, domestic workers, refugees, and internally displaced persons. The product was unveiled on October 23, 2025.
Account opening conditions have been simplified: applicants must reside in the DRC, present valid identification (such as a voter card, passport, driver’s license, refugee card, or loss declaration), have a monthly income below $300, make an initial deposit of 2,300 Congolese francs (FC), and maintain a minimum monthly deposit of 700 FC.
To attract this largely unbanked segment, the bank made several services free of charge, including local debit cards and internal transfers and withdrawals.
The Libanga account also features a social protection component. In partnership with Activa Assurance RDC, account holders can access a health and funeral insurance plan for a $1 monthly contribution, covering primary medical care at Afia Health Center and a $100 funeral benefit. The bank describes the initiative as a response to the essential protection and income security needs of its new clientele.
EquityBCDC said the product aligns with its goal of bringing formal banking to nearly 30 million Congolese by 2030, reflecting its broader strategy to expand financial inclusion and support the gradual formalization of the national economy.
As of October 2024, EquityBCDC — 85.67% owned by Kenya’s Equity Holdings Group — had over 1.8 million clients and total assets of $4.4 billion.
