DRC: an audit recommended on the procurement process for license plates

Kinshasa, January 8^th, 2026 (CPA) – An independent audit of the procurement process for number plates in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been recommended in Kinshasa by a coalition, with a view to combat corruption and illicit flows, according to a statement consulted on Thursday by CPA. ‘The coalition le Congo N’est Pas À Vendre’ (CNPAV) recommends that the Congolese government conduct an independent audit of the vehicle registration plate procurement process and financial arrangements with a view to combat corruption and illicit financial flows, » it is read. According to this document, in the same context, the coalition has recommended the full publication of all contracts, amendments and decrees relating to number plate procurement; the opening of judicial investigations into suspicions of conflicts of interest, illicit enrichment and embezzlement of public funds. This also includes the immediate suspension of the mandatory licence plate change operation until full clarification, strict compliance with public procurement law, and a reform ensuring that revenue from registration benefits the Congolese people as a priority. The statement has reminded that former Minister in charge of Finance Nicolas Kazadi had put in place several initiatives, including structural reform of the sector with clear objectives for the digitisation of registration procedures in order to reduce delays and administrative red tape. This also included setting the official price of the plate at USD 120 and increasing the share going to the public treasury. According to the press release, a call for tenders has been launched in this context, attracting the interest of major recognised international manufacturers, including UTAL (Poland), UTSCH (Germany) and Tönjes. This change involved abandoning the aluminium plate, which was at the heart of the pre-qualification phase, in favour of a plexiglass (plastic) plate. This change had the effect of effectively excluding several companies that were close to qualifying, while favouring the Belgian company Castillo Valere BV.  An opaque public-private partnership extended since 2009, the Congolese state has been linked to the company UTSCH Congo through a public-private partnership for the supply of number plates, pink cards and a computerised vehicle identification system. Although this contract officially ended in 2019, it has been extended until 2023 following a ruling obtained under conditions that remain transparent. It should be noted that the coalition Le Congo N’est Pas A vendre (CNPAV) brings together Congolese and international civil society organisations committed to transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources.