• DR Congo plans to tighten controls on mining exports to boost revenue collection, according to an IMF report published in January 2026.

• Authorities aim to improve measurements of export volumes, mineral grades and moisture content, which directly affect taxable value.

• The government plans to deploy automated weighing and quality-control systems by March 2026 to reduce revenue leakage.

The Democratic Republic of Congo plans to tighten oversight of its mining exports to improve revenue mobilization. In a report published in January 2026, the International Monetary Fund relayed the authorities’ objective to secure more reliable assessments “of volumes, mineral grades and moisture content of exports,” which determine product valuation and the tax base.

Moreover, the IMF highlighted the fiscal cost of weak controls. The report stated: “Studies show that our country loses nearly half of its potential mining revenues due to insufficient controls over volumes and the content of valuable metals.” Consequently, authorities said they want to increase mining revenue collection “based on the principle of minimizing human contact.”

To address these weaknesses, authorities announced plans to deploy technical tools by March 2026 to improve physical monitoring of export flows. They plan to implement “truck weighing scales and computerized, non-intrusive quality-control mechanisms” to enhance measurement accuracy at export points.

In parallel, the reform includes stronger analytical capacity. The IMF reported that authorities plan to “obtain approval from the Ministry of Mines by January 2026” in order to “make operational a mineral analysis laboratory under contract with the tax administration (DGI).”

The authorities aim to build technical capacity to support export controls and strengthen compliance. The report pointed to efforts to improve assessments of export characteristics, including moisture levels and mineral grades, which play a critical role in verifying declared values and determining corresponding tax obligations.

Beyond the mining sector, the IMF emphasized the broader challenge of modernizing financial administrations and control systems. The report noted that tax audits currently “generate less than 15% of their potential yield,” as authorities seek to strengthen data cross-checking through automation and digitization.

Overall, the IMF-backed strategy combines tighter physical and analytical controls on mining exports with a shift toward more automated systems. Authorities expect these measures to improve the reliability of controls and secure public revenues.

This article was initially published in French by Boaz Kabeya (Bankable)

Adapted in English by Ange J. A. de BERRY QUENUM