The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially resumed its long-stalled civil service retirement program, signaling a major shift in public sector reform and fiscal responsibility. Over 300,000 civil servants are now eligible under the renewed scheme, according to a government announcement on Monday.

Originally launched in 2022, the retirement campaign was designed to modernize the country’s bloated public administration, improve state finances, and fulfill reform commitments made to international partners, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF). While the program saw 11,000 civil servants retire in its inaugural year, it was halted throughout 2023 and 2024 due to budgetary limitations.

Public Sector Minister Jean-Pierre Lihau has now presented a robust ten-year financing plan aimed at sustaining the initiative. The government will deposit 20 billion Congolese francs (approximately $7 million) monthly into a dedicated account at the Central Bank. Beginning in 2026, commercial banks will also be allowed to pre-finance pensions, receiving later reimbursement from the state—a move designed to mitigate the accumulation of debt and ensure timely payments to retirees.

To guarantee transparency and effective execution, a special oversight committee will be established. This inter-ministerial body will comprise representatives from the ministries of Public Sector, Finance, and Budget, along with officials from the presidency, the prime minister’s office, and the civil service social security fund.

The relaunch of this large-scale retirement plan marks a significant step forward in Congo’s administrative overhaul and demonstrates renewed political will to align national reforms with international financial standards.