(Ecofin Agency) - Despite the ongoing conflict in its eastern region, the Democratic Republic of Congo pursues its tax mobilization plan to support the State budget. Between January and September 2023, the government achieved more than 74% of its initial fiscal targets.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has mobilized 8,039 billion Congolese francs ($3.2 billion) in tax revenues over the first nine months of fiscal year 2023. The figure comes from a report released by the Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI).

The amount corresponds to 74% of the country’s initial target for the period concerned–10,843 billion Congolese francs ($4.1 billion).

In its report, the DGI revealed that the Direction des Grandes Entreprises (DGE) mobilized nearly 71% of its target, while the urban and provincial directorates (DPI/DUI-K) posted an execution rate of 95.33%.

The Congolese government expects to collect 12,833.9 billion Congolese Francs in taxes this year, in line with the 2023 Finance Act. The forecast integrates significant earnings from mining.

A detail worth noting is that conflict in the eastern part of the country has surged back. However, the DRC economy remains resilient, with a satisfactory outlook.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the budget deficit should fall to 0.5% of GDP this year. In addition, the Fund believes that "stricter controls on spending under emergency procedures and better cash management will improve budget execution and free up room for much-needed social and development spending".

The government, for its part, forecasts an increase in tax burden rate, from 10.5% in 2021 to 14.8% in 2022; This is against an average of 17.6% for the sub-Saharan Africa region.

Charlène N’dimon (intern)