KINSHASA — The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is planning to ban all cash transactions in foreign currencies starting in April 2027, in a major policy shift aimed at strengthening monetary control and stabilising its financial system, officials said.
The move targets the widespread use of the US dollar in the country and persistent public lack of confidence in the Congolese franc, which remains weak and heavily under pressure in daily commerce.
Authorities say the reform is intended to tighten oversight of money flows, reduce informality in the economy, and support efforts to remove the country from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, where it has faced scrutiny over financial compliance and anti-money laundering standards.
The planned ban would represent one of the most ambitious currency reforms in the region, but its success is expected to depend heavily on enforcement capacity and economic stability.
Analysts caution that the DRC’s economy remains largely cash-based, with significant reliance on informal markets where foreign currency — particularly the US dollar — is deeply embedded in pricing, savings, and trade.
The government has not yet detailed how the transition will be implemented or how it will manage potential disruptions in commerce and household incomes.
If fully enforced, the policy could mark a significant step toward monetary sovereignty, but also carries risks of market instability if introduced without adequate financial infrastructure and public trust.
