The financing follows the third review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the second review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
The ECF disbursement amounts to approximately $258.2 million, bringing total payments under the programme to about $1.03 billion. A further $90.3 million will be released through the RSF. Both arrangements were approved in January 2025. “Economic activity in the DRC remains resilient, supported by robust mining sector performance,” IMF Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura said.
Growth reached 5.7% in 2025, supported by copper production and stronger activity outside mining. The IMF expects growth of 5.6% in 2026 before stabilising at about 5.5% over the medium term. “The near-term outlook remains favourable, though subject to significant risks, including the security situation in eastern DRC, the recent Ebola outbreak, rising political uncertainty and spillovers from the war in the Middle East,” Okamura said.
The security situation in eastern DRC remains volatile despite peace accords with Rwanda. Continuing fighting has contributed to displacement, food insecurity and increased security expenditure.
Inflation declined sharply after the Congolese Franc appreciated in October 2025. Annual inflation fell to 2.5% by April 2026 from 7.6% before the currency’s appreciation.
The IMF said the external position had strengthened through robust copper and cobalt exports, a narrower current-account deficit and continued accumulation of foreign exchange reserves.
Programme performance was described as broadly satisfactory, although the domestic fiscal balance target was missed because of higher-than-expected security spending. “The 2026 fiscal outlook is broadly manageable,” Okamura said.
“Strong revenue performance, reflecting favourable commodity prices and policy measures, largely offsets continued security-related spending pressures.”
The DRC also raised $1.25 billion through a maiden Eurobond in April 2026 to finance infrastructure projects. Investor orders exceeded $5 billion.
The IMF said safeguards included ring-fenced accounts, oversight under the Prime Minister, standard procurement processes and independent reporting. “Over the medium term, sustained fiscal discipline, continued roll-out of the public financial management reforms agenda and efforts to boost domestic revenue mobilisation will help create space for much-needed investment and priority social spending,” Okamura said.
The IMF called for prudent monetary policy, transparent public spending and faster reforms supporting governance, economic diversification and inclusive growth.
–IMF/ChannelAfrica–
