DR Congo Passes Law to Create Kinshasa Stock Exchange
Law 26/034 creates a market watchdog and clears the way for the Kinshasa Stock Exchange, with first listings targeted for 2027. The post DR Congo Passes Law to Create Kinshasa Stock Exchange appeared first on The Rio Times .
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has passed a law to establish a stock exchange in Kinshasa, aimed at providing new funding sources, mobilizing domestic savings, and giving companies and the state access to long-term capital. This law, Law 26/034, was promulgated by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi and published in the Journal Officiel on September 2, 2026.
The law sets out a comprehensive framework for the exchange, creating an Autorité de régulation des marchés financiers (ARMF) to oversee and license market participants. Two separate venues are planned, one for securities and another for commodities. The commodities exchange, in particular, marks a significant development for Congo, as it currently relies heavily on private contracts for its mineral and agricultural exports, with little intervention from local markets.
The law was successfully negotiated through both chambers of Congress, with Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba Likunde Li-Botayi leading the effort. Officials anticipate the first listings to occur between June and December 2027, although the actual establishment of the exchange and its regulatory body will likely take longer. Congo's lack of a domestic securities exchange means that companies currently rely on offshore financing, hedging, and listings, which dilutes profits and creates dependence on external capital markets.
Establishing the exchange will help localize capital flows and provide a platform for Congolese savers, pension funds, and insurers to invest. While the law represents a significant step forward, the practical challenges of building a fully operational market—such as establishing a regulatory authority with sufficient staff and systems, attracting initial issuers, and navigating legal and currency risks—remain substantial.
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