Government Launches Biometric Identification of National Police Officers

Kinshasa, July 9, 2026 - The Democratic Republic of Congo has entered a new phase in the reform of its security sector with the launch of a nationwide biometric identification program for personnel of the Congolese National Police (PNC). The initiative was officially launched on Thursday, July 9, by Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo Bihango, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Security, Decentralization, and Customary Affairs. The operation aims to improve personnel management, strengthen transparency, and modernize the administration of the national police force. The biometric registration follows the completion of an analysis of the PNC personnel database. The process will begin in Kinshasa as a pilot phase before being gradually extended to all 26 provinces of the country. The implementation will be carried out by Africa Business Agency (ABA) in cooperation with PNC structures. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the new system will establish a secure and centralized database of police officers, helping authorities identify and remove duplicate records, detect ghost employees, improve salary management, and strengthen recruitment, deployment, and promotion procedures. During the launch ceremony, Claude Kikoka Mbala, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Africa Business Agency, presented the audit report on the PNC workforce to Minister Jacquemain Shabani. The document will serve as the foundation for the biometric identification process nationwide. The reform is part of broader government efforts to professionalize the Congolese National Police, improve institutional efficiency, and strengthen accountability within the security sector. The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Budget Adolphe Muzito, Deputy Prime Minister for Civil Service Jean-Pierre Lihau, and Deputy Minister of Finance Gracia Yamba Kazadi.