DRC: Senate Adopts Banking Reform, Joint Committee to Resolve Remaining Differences

Kinshasa, November 19, 2025 - Kinshasa, DRC - On November 27, 2025, the Senate adopted on second reading the bill reforming the activities and oversight of credit institutions, in a version differing from that passed by the National Assembly.

The Senate’s version notably reduces the compliance period stipulated in Article 190 from 60 months to 36 months, compared with the 120-month deadline originally proposed by MP Olivier Katuala. The reform, initially submitted on September 16, 2024, aims to modernize the banking framework, focusing on governance, competence of decision-making bodies, and external audits, while addressing constraints related to capital dilution, which were deemed incompatible with African standards.

After its adoption by the National Assembly on June 15, 2025 (354 votes in favor out of 363), and now by the Senate (73 votes for, 1 abstention), a joint committee will be convened to harmonize the two versions. Should an agreement not be reached, the Constitution stipulates that the Assembly’s text will take precedence before submission to the President of the Republic.