The Democratic Republic of Congo's government has presented its 2027 budget to the National Assembly's Economic, Financial and Budgetary Control Commission. The budget is projected to be $24.9 billion, a 12% increase from 2026. The plan aims to boost tax revenue to 12.8% of the country's GDP in 2027, up from 12.5% in 2026. The government targets further increases, aiming for over 17% by 2035.
The 2027 budget outlines current revenue of $17.5 billion, an increase of about 15% from the 2026 revised budget of $15.2 billion. To achieve these targets, Finance Minister Adolphe Muzito plans to broaden the tax base, reduce exemptions, improve value-added tax collection, and enhance taxation of extractive industries and the digital sector. These measures are expected to contribute to the projected increase in tax revenue.
On the expenditure side, the government plans to implement stricter controls on personnel and payroll through audits and biometric checks. The plan also includes interconnecting personnel and payroll files and routing public contracts through the integrated SIGMAP management system. Currently, eight ministries manage their own spending, with ten more expected to follow suit in 2027.
Guy Mafuta Kabongo, chair of the Economic, Financial and Budgetary Control Commission, emphasized the importance of comparing 2027 projections with 2025 and early 2026 performance. He noted that a budget's value lies in its execution and that past deviations are key indicators of future risks. Kabongo also highlighted a 28.2% increase in the central government's budget compared to the 2024 revised budget.
The commission chair requested that funds for elections, census, and national dialogue not be financed at the expense of investments and social sectors. According to the 2025 budget report, the government achieved 80.01% of its revenue projections. The 2027 budget aims to build on this performance while addressing key development priorities.
The DRC's budget planning reflects efforts to enhance fiscal management and transparency. By implementing these measures, the government aims to improve public financial management and boost economic growth. The budget's success will depend on effective execution and continued efforts to enhance revenue collection and expenditure management.
As the National Assembly reviews the 2027 budget, key stakeholders will monitor progress on tax revenue targets, expenditure controls, and overall budget execution. The government's ability to meet these targets will be crucial in determining the budget's impact on the country's economic development and social sectors.
Key points
- The DRC's 2027 budget projects a 12.8% tax revenue to GDP ratio, with plans to increase this to over 17% by 2035.
