The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Democratic Republic of Congo have reached a staff-level agreement on the next reviews of the country's two IMF-supported programmes, a step that could unlock fresh financing once the IMF board signs off.
According to the IMF's official press release, a team led by Calixte Ahokpossi held talks from October 22 to November 4, 2026, on the fourth review of the DRC's Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme and the third review of its Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) programme.
The agreement is subject to approval by IMF management and the Executive Board. The IMF said Board consideration is tentatively scheduled for December 2026. The state news agency ACP also reported the agreement in a post on its official X account.
How much money is involved
The IMF statement does not give a disbursement figure. Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba Likunde said that, if the Board approves, the DRC could receive about $771 million, including around $240 million for the 2026 Ebola response plan, according to Lebarometre.cd. XTRAfrica has not seen an IMF document confirming that amount.
What the IMF said about the economy
The IMF said growth slowed somewhat in 2026, as the economy began to be affected by the Ebola outbreak and challenges at two large mines. It still expects real GDP growth to stay above 5% in 2026 and over the medium term.
Inflation is projected to rise to close to 9% by the end of December 2026, driven by higher fuel and food prices, the IMF said. The Central Bank of Congo kept its policy rate at 12.5% in October, and the IMF urged it to stand ready to tighten if inflation expectations become unanchored.
The government has asked for looser deficit ceilings for 2026 and 2027 and for higher access to IMF resources under both programmes. Those requests will go to the Executive Board.
Reforms the IMF wants
ECONOMIC REPORTS
DRC and IMF Reach Staff-Level Deal on Programme Reviews
4 nov. 2026
5 nov. 2026
3 min read
Published
Updated:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Democratic Republic of Congo have reached a staff-level agreement on the next reviews of the country's two IMF-supported programmes, a step that could unlock fresh financing once the IMF board signs off.
According to the IMF's official press release, a team led by Calixte Ahokpossi held talks from October 22 to November 4, 2026, on the fourth review of the DRC's Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme and the third review of its Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) programme.
The agreement is subject to approval by IMF management and the Executive Board. The IMF said Board consideration is tentatively scheduled for December 2026. The state news agency ACP also reported the agreement in a post on its official X account.
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How much money is involved
The IMF statement does not give a disbursement figure. Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba Likunde said that, if the Board approves, the DRC could receive about $771 million, including around $240 million for the 2026 Ebola response plan, according to Lebarometre.cd. XTRAfrica has not seen an IMF document confirming that amount.
What the IMF said about the economy
The IMF said growth slowed somewhat in 2026, as the economy began to be affected by the Ebola outbreak and challenges at two large mines. It still expects real GDP growth to stay above 5% in 2026 and over the medium term.
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Inflation is projected to rise to close to 9% by the end of December 2026, driven by higher fuel and food prices, the IMF said. The Central Bank of Congo kept its policy rate at 12.5% in October, and the IMF urged it to stand ready to tighten if inflation expectations become unanchored.
The government has asked for looser deficit ceilings for 2026 and 2027 and for higher access to IMF resources under both programmes. Those requests will go to the Executive Board.
Reforms the IMF wants
The IMF welcomed the DRC's removal from the Financial Action Task Force's "grey list" and called for further work on governance, anti-corruption and the business climate.
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It also urged faster implementation of revenue measures in the 2026 budget, tighter control of the wage bill, completion of the Treasury Single Account and limits on emergency spending procedures. Under the RSF, it welcomed the adoption of a draft revised Forest Code and a draft public-private partnership law that accounts for climate.
What happens next
The deal now goes to IMF management and the Executive Board in December. Le Potentiel's report on the agreement describes it as the latest step in Kinshasa's programme with the Fund. Disbursement will depend on Board approval.
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