The Minister of State, Minister of Planning and Development Aid Coordination, Guylain Nyembo, met on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, with Nick Elebe, Country Director of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), to discuss public governance and the fight against corruption in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The meeting took place against a backdrop of intensified reforms undertaken by the Congolese Government to improve public financial management and strengthen the credibility of the State. Given the need to mobilize more domestic resources to finance public policies and reduce dependence on external aid, modernizing the tax system has emerged as a strategic priority.
In this context, technical and financial partners, including the International Development Law Organization, play a key role in supporting reform efforts, particularly by strengthening institutions, promoting the rule of law, and improving accountability mechanisms.
An Anti-Corruption Roadmap
At the heart of the discussions were the concrete initiatives undertaken by IDLO in the DRC, particularly in the sensitive areas of tax audits and tax reassessments, which have been identified as strategic instruments for domestic resource mobilization.
With support from the Embassy of the Netherlands in the DRC, a major project enabled a comprehensive assessment of corruption risks throughout the tax administration process. This innovative approach, based on close collaboration between public administrations, the private sector, and technical and financial partners, involved mapping tax processes, analyzing points of interaction between taxpayers and the tax administration, and identifying vulnerable areas susceptible to illicit practices.
The objective is clear: to strengthen transparency, reduce excessive discretionary powers, and establish more effective oversight mechanisms.
The work resulted in the development of an operational roadmap containing specific recommendations and priority actions. These include strengthening the digitalization of tax procedures, improving internal control systems, training public officials in professional ethics, and establishing secure reporting mechanisms.
Ultimately, this roadmap aims to restore trust between the tax administration and taxpayers while sustainably improving the business climate in the DRC.
“We are delighted by the Minister’s interest in this issue of combating corruption in the DRC, with a view to strengthening the integrity of the tax system and improving the business climate,” said Nick Elebe.
In the same vein, Minister of State Guylain Nyembo reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting and accelerating structural reforms, emphasizing the need for more rigorous, results-oriented governance.
Beyond its technical dimension, this exchange forms part of a broader vision promoted by the Congolese Government: building strong, transparent, and accountable institutions capable of supporting inclusive and sustainable economic development.
The fight against corruption is therefore an indispensable pillar for attracting investment, safeguarding public revenues, and ensuring a fairer redistribution of resources for the benefit of the population.
About IDLO
The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting the rule of law as a driver of sustainable development. Operating in several countries, it supports governments in reforming their legal and institutional systems, with an emphasis on transparency, justice, equitable access to public services, and the fight against corruption.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, its work directly supports efforts to consolidate reforms and improve public financial management.