The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has scheduled its 13th Conference of Provincial Governors for March 3–7, 2026, to be held in Kwilu province, according to an announcement relayed by Jacquemain Shabani, the deputy prime minister and interior minister.

Beyond the calendar change, the theme chosen for this edition signals a policy direction that links decentralization to economic strategy: “Transformation of the agricultural, pastoral and fisheries sector, rural development and connection to urban markets.” In practical terms, the framing puts emphasis on how rural production reaches cities an issue that cuts across infrastructure, provincial planning, and food security.

The session had initially been planned for December 9–13, 2025, but was postponed for organizational reasons, with the new dates presented in an information note during the 78th meeting of the Council of Ministers held on February 13, 2026, the report said.

Institutionally, the Conference of Governors is set out in Article 200 of the DRC Constitution of February 18, 2006, as a formal framework for consultation between the national executive and provincial authorities. The operating rules are further detailed in Organic Law No. 08/015 of October 7, 2008, which outlines how the conference is organized and functions.

Held on a rotating basis across provinces, the conference format is designed to bring national decision-makers closer to local priorities while allowing flexibility to change venues in cases of force majeure.