The Democratic Republic of Congo's Competition Commission (COMCO) has taken a significant step towards strengthening its structure and operational capabilities. On October 6, in Kinshasa, Vice-Prime Ministers Daniel Mukoko Samba and Jean-Pierre Lihau officially introduced the new organic framework and institutional structures. This reform aims to provide COMCO with an organization better suited to its missions, enhancing its effectiveness in regulating the Congolese market, promoting healthy competition, and protecting consumers.
The new organic framework was developed through a joint effort by experts from the Ministries of National Economy and Public Service. The framework provides for an architecture comprising support services and two specialized directorates. One directorate will focus on competition and economic concentrations, while the other will be dedicated to consumer protection. The framework also determines the maximum staff numbers for the Commission, both at the central level and in provincial coordinations.
A key aspect of the reform is the decision to deploy 82% of COMCO's staff in the provinces, aiming to bring regulation closer to local economic realities. This move is expected to enable the institution to better monitor commercial practices across the territory and intervene closer to economic actors and consumers. The new organization is expected to help COMCO overcome its current limitations and establish itself as a genuine market regulator.
According to Vice-Prime Minister Daniel Mukoko Samba, the new organization will allow COMCO to strengthen its action without undermining economic freedom, while ensuring better consumer protection. He emphasized the need to balance regulation with economic liberty, highlighting that the market can become a problem if not organized and regulated by the state.
The implementation of the new organic framework will be gradual, involving the development of a job and competency reference, capacity building for agents, and improved working conditions. The Vice-Prime Minister stressed the importance of competence, integrity, and professionalism in the growth of COMCO, which will accompany the transformation of the institution into a more effective economic regulator.
The introduction of the new framework marks a new phase for COMCO, which was created in its current form by decree No. 25/032 on October 10, 2025. The Congolese authorities see this reform as a way to strengthen the instruments needed to ensure a more balanced functioning of the market, going beyond mere administrative reorganization.
The new organic framework is expected to enable COMCO to play a greater role in preventing and repressing anti-competitive practices, as well as protecting consumers. With its enhanced structure and capabilities, COMCO is poised to become a more effective regulator of the Congolese market.
Key points
- The Democratic Republic of Congo's Competition Commission has introduced a new organic framework to enhance its operational capabilities and regulate the market.
- The new framework provides for the deployment of 82% of COMCO's staff in the provinces to bring regulation closer to local economic realities.
- The reform aims to balance regulation with economic liberty, ensuring better consumer protection while promoting healthy competition.
