400 billion CDF absorbed over the tax period, among the reasons for the appreciation

Kinshasa, October 9^th, 2025 (CPA).- The absorption of the Congolese franc on the market to the tune of 400 billion on the fiscal deadline (September-October) has been presented on Thursday in Kinshasa, as one of the reasons for the observed appreciation of the local currency against the US dollar in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the governor of the Central Bank of Congo (BCC). ‘The absorption of around 400 billion Congolese francs on the market over the fiscal period from September 15^th to October 15^th is one of the reasons for the appreciation of the national currency against the US dollar,’ has indicated Andre Wameso, Governor of the Central Bank of Congo, in an interview with the local press. Governor Wameso has specified that this trend in the value of the Congolese franc would continue into the next fiscal year. In his view, it has been decided to withdraw the full rate of the Congolese franc, valued at 900 billion CFA francs, from the market by asking companies to pay their taxes in Congolese francs during the fiscal year. He has also referred to another measure taken by the Central Bank of Congo since his arrival, that of issuing an injunction of 50 million US dollars at an indicative rate of 2,776 Congolese francs.

“In principle”, he has said, “the aim has been to demonstrate that the monetary authority is the Central Bank of Congo, and it is it that determines the rate. It is reminded that at the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee on October 7^th, the Central Bank of Congo (BCC) has given a theoretical advantage to the strengthening of the Congolese franc (CDF), by deciding to significantly ease its monetary policy.  The key rate, which determines the cost at which commercial banks refinance with the bank, has been cut from 25% to 17.5%, while the marginal lending rate, the rate applied when liquidity is urgently needed, has been reduced from 30% to 21.5%.  This technical adjustment, the biggest since 2021, is part of a strategy to restore the Congolese franc (CDF) to a central role in economic exchanges.