EXETAT 2025: Congo Digitizes Exams with AI and Blockchain Tools

With more than a million candidates registered, the Democratic Republic of Congo has officially launched the 58th ordinary session of the State Examination (EXETAT) across the country. On Monday, July 28, 2025, Minister of State for National Education and New Citizenship, Mrs. Raïssa Malu, proudly declared the opening of exams in 3,165 centers, including 13 outside the country (Angola, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania).

What is the State Examination (EXETAT) in Congo?

The Examen d'État (EXETAT), also known as the State Examination, is the official national exam that students in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) must pass at the end of secondary school. It serves as the Congolese equivalent of a high school diploma or baccalaureate and is a key requirement for obtaining the Diplôme d'État. Passing the EXETAT opens the door to higher education in Congolese universities and technical institutes, and is also recognized for employment opportunities within the country.

Since its inception in 1967, the State Examination has remained a pillar of Congo’s educational system, marking the academic journey of thousands each year. Even in territories under the control of the M23/AFC rebellion, the Ministry, in partnership with UNICEF, successfully ensured that candidates in those areas could participate in EXETAT 2025.

Aligned with President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi’s broader vision to reform education, particularly by promoting free primary education, this year’s national exams reflect a renewed commitment to transparency, modernization, and quality.

“I wish to highlight the technical innovations introduced since the 2024 session,” Minister Malu emphasized.

Digital Transformation for Fairer, Faster, and Transparent Exams

Minister Raïssa Malu's tenure has prioritized a digital overhaul of the EXETAT process to ensure fairness, efficiency, and credibility, both nationally and internationally.

1. Digital Registration System

Manual registration methods, long prone to fraud and error, have been replaced by a secure digital platform. Over 4 million students have been correctly registered, eliminating more than 12 million paper documents. This initiative not only secures student data but also streamlines the issuance of macarons and diplomas while promoting eco-conscious administration.

2. Blockchain-Secured Diplomas

Through the E-Déclaration platform, every diploma issued is now tamper-proof, traceable, and valid for life. With a simple QR code or secure link, universities, employers, and embassies can instantly verify a student’s credentials, making the DRC a pioneer in blockchain-powered education certification in Africa.

3. AI-Powered Corrections with S-Note Manager

To enhance grading accuracy and speed, the Ministry introduced S-Note Manager, an AI-based correction system supervised by experts from the General Inspection. This hybrid model ensures consistency and reliability, significantly reducing grading time while preserving human oversight.

New Correction Centers in Mbuji-Mayi and Lubumbashi

A historic first for the EXETAT process: the decentralization of copy corrections. Two modern scanning and processing centers have been established in Mbuji-Mayi (Kasai Oriental) and Lubumbashi (Haut-Katanga), each equipped with:

• Preparation Room

• Scanning Room

• Server Room

• Control Room

• Monitoring Room

These centers process exams digitally and transmit them directly to correction hubs in Kinshasa, reducing the time it takes to process results by 30 - 40%.

“This is more than modernization, it’s a pledge to transparency, fairness, and sovereignty for Congolese youth,” said Malu.

This session marks a new era in the DRC’s education system. With support from partners and the wider community, these reforms aim to place Congo’s education system among the most trusted and innovative on the continent.