Kinshasa Holds 65.2% of Bank Deposits, Central Bank Reports

KINSHASA February 28, 2026 - Bank deposits in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remain heavily concentrated in the capital, Kinshasa, accounting for 65.2% of total deposits, according to the latest economic outlook from the Central Bank of Congo (BCC). The report, covering economic developments from February 13 to 20, 2026, shows that after Kinshasa, deposits are primarily held in Haut-Katanga (22.9%), Lualaba (4.0%), and North Kivu (2.7%). Total bank deposits reached $16.24 billion at the end of December 2025, marking a 3.4% increase from the previous month and a 10.2% year-on-year rise, largely driven by dollar-denominated deposits from households and private enterprises. Households represent 35.8% of total deposits, while private businesses account for 31.8%. Sectorally, deposits come mostly from sectors outside public administration (39.2%), trade (21.7%), and extractive industries (14.5%). Meanwhile, gross loans totaled $10.27 billion, up 2.5% month-on-month and 20.2% year-on-year, primarily due to increased lending to SMEs and the central government. Loans in foreign currency rose 2.5%, while local currency loans fell 1.7%. The BCC notes that the formal financial system comprises 287 institutions, including 108 credit institutions, 137 financial companies, 39 insurance companies, two social security funds, and one guarantee fund. The banking sector includes 14 active banks with 445 service points (371 branches and 74 ATMs), representing 97% of financial sector assets. The microfinance sector has 101 institutions, including 78 savings and credit cooperatives, 15 microfinance companies, and 8 microcredit enterprises, with 186 operating points representing roughly 3% of sector assets. Nearly 70% of microfinance institutions are concentrated in Kinshasa, North Kivu, and South Kivu. The report underscores the continued dominance of Kinshasa in the country’s financial landscape, highlighting challenges for financial inclusion in other provinces.