DRC Approves Recovery Plan for $300 Million in Outstanding Industrial Promotion Fund

Kinshasa, April 13, 2026 - The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has approved a recovery and audit strategy to address an estimated $300 million in outstanding debts owed to the Industrial Promotion Fund (FPI), in a move aimed at unlocking blocked resources for industrial development. The issue was presented at the 86th meeting of the Council of Ministers held on April 10 in Kinshasa, under the chairmanship of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. The briefing was delivered by the Minister of State, acting Minister of Industry, during discussions focused on improving the efficiency and financial sustainability of state development institutions. According to the government, the unpaid debts-owed by various insolvent or non-compliant borrowers-represent a significant financial constraint on the Industrial Promotion Fund, which is intended to finance structuring projects for national economic development. Officials stressed that recovering these funds is considered essential to support ongoing efforts to stimulate industrial growth and strengthen domestic production capacity. The Minister of Industry also proposed the creation of a special government commission to oversee the recovery process. The body would be responsible for classifying debtors based on good or bad faith, negotiating settlement agreements, initiating legal recovery actions where necessary, and recommending measures to safeguard assets belonging to insolvent borrowers. The proposal also includes the identification of internal operational weaknesses within the FPI, including governance gaps, limited technical capacity, and informal practices in project financing, which may have contributed to the accumulation of unpaid debts. However, authorities cautioned that delays in recovery could further weaken both the institution and the broader industrial sector, which continues to require significant financial support. The Industrial Promotion Fund (FPI), established under Ordinance-Law No. 89/031 of 1989 and later restructured into a public administrative and financial institution, is mandated to finance industrial development, support local production, and contribute to infrastructure linked to productive investment. It also manages resources derived from the industrial promotion tax and supports projects aimed at reducing import dependence. The government says the recovery initiative is part of broader reforms to improve public financial management and ensure that development funds are effectively mobilized for industrial transformation and economic diversification.