• New Kinshasa-based court granted exclusive jurisdiction and dedicated prosecutor

• Tribunal expected to begin operations within three months

Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi signed a decree-law on Saturday establishing a specialised criminal court to handle economic and financial crime. The decree also creates a dedicated prosecutor’s office attached to the new court.

The court will investigate and prosecute offenses such as corruption, embezzlement of public funds, extortion, as well as currency counterfeiting and financial fraud. Based in Kinshasa, it will have exclusive jurisdiction over these crimes. The prosecutor’s office will conduct investigations and bring cases before the court.

The decree grants the court administrative autonomy and a budget funded by the state. Its creation marks a step toward strengthening the Congolese judicial system’s capacity to tackle economic crime. Under the measure, cases currently before ordinary courts will be transferred to the new jurisdiction once it becomes operational. The tribunal must begin operations within three months of the law entering into force.

A Project Led by the Justice Ministry

The initiative was first launched in March 2024 by lawmaker Constant Mutamba. After being appointed justice minister in August 2024, he revived the project and pushed it forward within the government. The Council of Ministers adopted the text in mid-April 2025 before submitting it to the National Assembly on May 15, 2025, where lawmakers accepted it for consideration.

Merphy Pongo, a lawyer and public law consultant, said the court’s credibility would depend on the magistrates selected to lead it and to staff the prosecutor’s office. He stressed the importance of appointing judges with expertise in financial matters and a strong reputation for integrity.

Pongo also called for reforms to agencies responsible for combating economic crime in the DRC, including the Agency for the Prevention and Fight Against Corruption, certain commissions within the Justice Ministry, and specialised units of the National Intelligence Agency.

Beyond the judicial framework, Congolese authorities face the broader challenge of strengthening investor confidence. As the country seeks to attract more capital to develop its infrastructure and financial system, institutions capable of effectively addressing economic crime could send a positive signal to investors and international markets.

Chamberline Moko