• DRC launched "e-Diplôme," a blockchain platform to secure and digitize state diplomas
• Enables instant online verification and permanent archiving
• Aims to fight fraud, streamline processes, and boost diploma credibility

The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially launched "e-Diplôme," a digital platform designed to digitize and secure state diploma issuance using blockchain technology. The announcement followed a Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, July 18, in Kinshasa.

"The e-Diplôme platform marks a decisive turning point in the modernization of the Congolese education system. This major step toward transparency, modernization, and digital sovereignty positions the DRC’s education system as a model of governance in Central Africa," said Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, Minister of Communication and Media.

The system introduces centralized, digital, and highly secure management of state diplomas. Each academic title will be recorded and authenticated using blockchain technology, allowing immediate online verification by graduates, employers, universities, or embassies. The system also guarantees permanent archiving, protected from data loss and physical deterioration.

This initiative addresses the significant challenge of diploma fraud within Congolese and African educational institutions. It aligns with broader government reforms to modernize public administration and promote digital sovereignty, particularly through the digitization of essential services.

By eliminating reliance on paper documents and manual processes, e-Diplôme is expected to streamline exchanges among educational administrations, institutions, and recruiters. The system is expected to reduce verification times, minimize human error, and simplify procedures for graduates. In the labor market, it should also help restore the credibility of DRC-issued degrees and curb the circulation of fake diplomas, which often contribute to mistrust and barriers to professional integration.

Samira Njoya