Civil society organization alleges procurement fraud, conflict of interest, and misuse of provincial funds
KONGO CENTRAL, DR CONGO — A major anti-corruption organization has formally accused provincial authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of orchestrating a multi-million dollar scheme involving opaque loans and rigged public contracts, casting a spotlight on the persistent governance challenges plaguing one of Africa’s most resource-rich nations.
The Congolese League Against Corruption (LICOCO) filed a complaint with the country’s Inspector General of Finance (IGF) on December 5, 2025, targeting two specific public contracts in Kongo Central province with a combined value of nearly $13 million. These funds originate from a controversial $20 million provincial loan that LICOCO itself has labeled illegal, alleging it violates national laws on provincial administration.
“These contracts represent a possible cover for the embezzlement of public funds to the detriment of the people of Kongo Central,” LICOCO stated in its correspondence, calling for an immediate investigation and the freezing of the loan. The governor of the province has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
The Breakdown of the Contracts
LICOCO’s complaint centers on two awards financed by the disputed $20 million loan.
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Public Works Equipment ( $6.47 million): Awarded to the company Manews Sarlu, this contract is riddled with accusations. LICOCO claims the firm is politically connected to the provincial governor, creating a clear conflict of interest. Further allegations include irregular subcontracting practices and overbilling estimated at approximately 50% of the contract’s true value.
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New Provincial Assembly Building ( $6.56 million): This contract for a new headquarters in Matadi was awarded through a direct agreement procedure without any public call for bids. LICOCO questions the disproportionate cost of the building and has raised concerns about the validity of the signatures authorizing the project. The organization has previously criticized this construction as “non-relevant,” noting that the provincial assembly already functions from an adequate building.
The following table summarizes the key allegations for each contract:
| Contract | Value (USD) | Awarded To | Primary Allegations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Works Equipment | 6.47 million | Manews Sarlu | Conflict of interest (ties to governor), irregular subcontracting, ~50% overbilling. |
| Provincial Assembly Building | 6.56 million | Not named in complaint | Awarded by direct agreement (no competitive bid); disproportionate cost; irregular signatures. |
The Controversial Source of Funds
The scandal reaches back to October 2024, when the provincial governor initially sought legislative approval for a $15 million loan. According to LICOCO, the process was hijacked: the president of the provincial assembly is accused of informally authorizing the loan without a full legislative debate and, critically, increasing the total amount to $20 million—a $5 million jump with no clear justification.
This tactic, LICOCO argues, was a deliberate attempt to “circumvent the necessary debates in plenary” and avoid fundamental questions about the loan’s purpose and legality.
A Pattern of Systemic Corruption in the DRC
This case is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of systemic dysfunction in the DRC’s public procurement. The country’s Prime Minister, Judith Suminwa, publicly deplored the “abusive recourse” to direct agreement procedures in a note from May 2025, noting they often bypass legal justifications and result in contracts being awarded to companies lacking the required experience or financial capacity.
LICOCO and its frequent partner, the Public Expenditure Observatory (ODEP), have a track record of exposing similar alleged abuses. Their targets have included:
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A $400 million national project for water stations and streetlights, which showed only 7% completion despite an $80 million disbursement.
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Other unfinished projects that “swallowed up millions of dollars,” such as a biometric ID card printing initiative and a program for war victims in eastern DRC.
However, the credibility of some civil society watchdog groups, including LICOCO and ODEP, has itself been questioned. A critical 2025 report suggested that leaders of these organizations may have compromised their independence by accepting substantial payments—reportedly $100,000 each—as part of a controversial mining contract renegotiation commission. This underscores the complex and often murky environment in which the fight against corruption operates in the DRC.
The Broader African Context
Corruption in public procurement is a critical challenge across Africa, severely hindering development and eroding public trust. The DRC, consistently ranked among the world’s most corrupt nations on Transparency International’s index, exemplifies this crisis. The alleged scheme in Kongo Central mirrors patterns seen elsewhere: elite capture of state resources, weak oversight institutions, and the use of complex financial mechanisms to obscure the diversion of funds meant for public goods.
Looking Ahead: Calls for Action
The immediate next step rests with the Inspector General of Finance, whose investigation could validate the allegations and trigger legal proceedings. This case will also test the resolve of the national government to enforce its own recent directives against procurement abuse.
For the citizens of Kongo Central and the DRC at large, the outcome represents more than just a financial audit. It is a test of whether the cycles of corruption, impunity, and empty state coffers—while critical infrastructure and social services languish—can finally be broken.
