The Commission de la concurrence (COMCO) in the Democratic Republic of Congo has taken a significant step forward in its development with the introduction of a new organizational framework. On October 6, Vice Prime Minister of the National Economy, Daniel Mukoko Samba, and Minister of Public Service, Jean-Pierre Lihau Ebua, officially handed over the new framework to the institution. This framework is the result of joint work by experts from both administrations and aims to provide COMCO with an organization better suited to its missions.
The new framework consists of support services and two main directorates. The first directorate will focus on competition and economic concentrations, while the second will be responsible for consumer protection. The framework also establishes the maximum staff numbers for COMCO, both at the central level and in provincial coordinations. A significant aspect of this new structure is that 82% of the staff will be deployed to the provinces, with the goal of bringing control and regulatory missions closer to market realities across the country.
The creation of COMCO in its current form was through decree n°25/032 on October 10, 2025. It is one of the main instruments for implementing the national policy on competition. The new organizational framework is expected to enable COMCO to better regulate the market and protect consumer rights while preserving the freedom to undertake economic activities. According to Daniel Mukoko Samba, the market can become a "monster" if it is not organized and regulated by the state.
The implementation of the new framework will be done progressively. This phase includes the development of a job and competency reference, capacity building for agents, and improvement of their working conditions. Daniel Mukoko Samba emphasized three key requirements for the development of COMCO: competence, integrity, and professionalism. These are expected to accompany the growth of the commission as it takes on its new role in market regulation.
The new structure is part of the broader efforts by Kinshasa to strengthen its instruments for regulating the domestic market and protecting consumers. The official handover of the organizational framework marks a new stage in the modernization of COMCO. The expectations are that with this framework, COMCO will be more effective in its role as a market regulator.
The implementation of the new framework and the strengthening of COMCO's capabilities are seen as critical steps towards achieving a well-regulated market in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The emphasis on deploying a significant portion of the staff to the provinces underscores the government's commitment to ensuring that market regulation is not just a central concern but also a local one.
With the new organizational framework in place, COMCO is set to play a more significant role in shaping the country's economic landscape. The focus on consumer protection, competition, and economic concentrations is expected to contribute to a more balanced and fair market environment.
Key points
- The new framework includes the deployment of 82% of COMCO's staff to the provinces.
- The framework establishes two main directorates for competition and consumer protection.
- The implementation of the framework will be done progressively, including capacity building for agents.
