The Democratic Republic of Congo's government has committed to sustaining reforms against financial crime after successfully exiting the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) grey list. During the 102nd meeting of the Council of Ministers held on November 6 in Kinshasa, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa urged ministers to maintain pressure on reforms aimed at combating money laundering and financial offenses. She emphasized that the progress made should not lead to complacency.
The government's goal is to establish a permanent and sustainable national policy to prevent financial crime. Suminwa instructed ministers to ensure effective implementation of measures within their sectors, continuity of control activities, and strengthened cooperation among competent services. This approach aims to consolidate control and prevention mechanisms. The prime minister plans to convene a strategic meeting with ministers of foreign affairs, justice, and finance, along with the Central Bank of Congo and the National Council for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Cenaref).
The meeting will focus on reinforcing synergy among institutions involved in financial governance and anti-money laundering efforts. Suminwa views the exit from the grey list as an opportunity to strengthen the national system for preventing financial crime through a sustainable policy. The DRC officially exited the FATF grey list on October 30, 2026, after a plenary meeting in Paris. The country had been under enhanced surveillance since October 2022 due to shortcomings in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework.
The government acknowledges the efforts of President Felix Tshisekedi, the ministries of justice and finance, and specialized services like Cenaref in achieving this milestone. The exit from the grey list is seen as a significant accomplishment, but the government recognizes that consolidation of these reforms is the new challenge. To avoid backtracking, the government intends to maintain momentum on anti-financial crime efforts.
The FATF grey list designation had implications for the DRC's financial sector and international relations. By sustaining reforms, the government aims to demonstrate its commitment to global standards on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. The National Council for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Cenaref) and the Central Bank of Congo will play key roles in implementing and monitoring these reforms.
A high-level meeting will be convened to discuss strategic coordination and institutional cooperation. This meeting will bring together key stakeholders, including ministers and representatives from Cenaref and the Central Bank of Congo. The goal is to ensure a cohesive approach to preventing financial crime and maintaining the country's exit from the FATF grey list.
The DRC's successful exit from the grey list reflects progress in strengthening its regulatory framework. Ongoing efforts will focus on maintaining effective anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. The government remains committed to avoiding any regression and ensuring that the country's financial sector operates with integrity and transparency.
Key points
- The DRC government aims to consolidate reforms against financial crime after exiting the FATF grey list.
