• DRC scrapped fuel tax exemptions, sharply boosting oil-related state revenue
• Monthly revenue jumped nearly 1,700% after reforms began July 2025
• Customs collections exceeded targets, reaching 109% of 2025 plan

A reform of tax expenditures on imports of refined petroleum products, introduced by the Congolese government, boosted state revenue in 2025. In a statement dated Jan. 20, 2026, the Ministry of Finance said oil revenue jumped by nearly 1,700% after exemptions for mining companies and their subcontractors were scrapped in late July.

The ministry said the revenue rose from a monthly average of 4.43 billion Congolese francs (about $2 million) between January and July 2025 to 78.5 billion Congolese francs between August and December 2025. Over the full year, revenue collected reached 423.6 billion Congolese francs (nearly $194 million).

“Thanks to this reform, implemented in a coordinated way across government, the General Directorate of Customs and Excise significantly increased revenue collections, reaching 6.848 trillion Congolese francs (about $3.13 billion) by end-December 2025, compared with 6.280 trillion Congolese francs (about $2.87 billion) forecast in the 2025 Treasury Plan (PTR),” the ministry said, adding that this was equivalent to 109% of the target.

The ministry said fuel-related tax expenditures amounted to $1.6 billion in 2022 and $1.1 billion in 2023, representing about 15% of the state’s revenue on average over the two years. The high level of subsidies, exemptions and tax incentives, which significantly reduced public resources, prompted the government to launch the reform of tax expenditures linked to petroleum imports.

Under Article 22 of the 2025 Finance Act, Congo removed subsidies and import tax exemptions, including customs duties and VAT, on land and aviation fuels intended for mining activities or sold to mining companies and their subcontractors. The measure was implemented through an interministerial decree signed on May 2, 2025 by the ministries of National Economy, Finance and Hydrocarbons.

The reform took effect in late July 2025 with the publication of a specific fuel pricing structure for the mining sector, mainly in the south and east of the country. The Finance Ministry also suspended certain exemptions and import facilities, while the Hydrocarbons Ministry tightened controls and fuel-tracking measures.

Boaz Kabeya, with Bankable