Central Bank of the Congo

The Central Bank of the Congo (French: Banque Centrale du Congo, Lingala: Ndaku Monene ya Bokéngeli Mbongo ya Mboka Kongo), colloquially known by its acronym BCC, is the central bank of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its headquarters are located on Boulevard Colonel Tshatshi in Gombe, Kinshasa, surrounded by significant institutions including the Palais de la Nation, the National Library, and several government ministries.

Central Bank of the Congo
Banque Centrale du Congo

Seat of the BCC in Gombe, Kinshasa
Headquarters	Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Established	1961 (1961)
Ownership	100% state ownership
President	Malangu Kabedi Mbuyi
Central bank of	Democratic Republic of the Congo
Currency	Congolese franc CDF (ISO 4217)
Reserves	770 million USD (2017)
Preceded by	Banque du Zaïre
Website	www.bcc.cd

Established under Law No. 005/2002 of 7 May 2002, the Central Bank of the Congo operates as an independent entity with the legal capacity to engage in contracts, acquire and dispose of property, and participate in legal proceedings. Its capital is wholly owned by the Congolese state, as stipulated in Article 5 of the law. The bank's primary mandate is to define and implement the nation's monetary policy to ensure price stability, as outlined in Article 3. This responsibility includes monitoring price fluctuations in goods and services across the market.

The bank is also engaged in developing policies to promote financial inclusion and is a member of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion. On 5 May 2012 the Central Bank of Congo announced it would be making specific commitments to financial inclusion under the Maya Declaration.

History

On 13 October 1960, the newly established Democratic Republic of the Congo issued an executive order creating the Conseil monétaire de la République Démocratique du Congo, which took over the Congolese operations of the Banque Centrale du Congo Belge et du Ruanda-Urundi (BCCBRU). The Conseil monétaire evolved in 1964 into the Banque Nationale du Congo, the country's new central bank.

When the Congo changed its name to Zaire in 1971, the Banque Nationale du Congo became the Banque du Zaïre (Bank of Zaire). Then in 1997, when the country's name became the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the bank took its current name.

Organization

500 francs, issued by the Bank of the Belgian Congo, 1943 (obverse and reverse)

The BCC is structured to fulfill its mandate of defining and implementing the monetary policy of the country while ensuring the stability of the general price level, as stipulated in Article 3 of its founding law. Its responsibilities encompass all core functions of a central bank, including the issuance of currency, regulation of the banking sector, management of state finances, and provision of economic advisement to the government.

Core functions

Issuing Institution

The BCC holds the exclusive authority to issue banknotes and coins deemed legal tender in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, denominated in Congolese francs or its sub-units. It ensures the internal and external stability of the national currency.

Bank of Banks

The BCC regulates the banking sector by overseeing the operations of banking and non-banking financial institutions and managing credit distribution within the economy.

State Cashier

Acting as the government's banker, the BCC processes payments on behalf of the state, services public debt, and administers special accounts in coordination with relevant ministries. It may delegate this role to authorized credit institutions in areas where it lacks representation.

State Advisor

The BCC provides guidance to the government on economic, monetary, and financial policies. It offers advisory opinions, either on its own initiative or at the government's request, regarding planned measures or policies.

Manager of Reserves

The bank is tasked with the responsibility of holding and managing the nation's official reserves of gold and foreign currencies, as specified in the governing legislation.

Governance structure

The BCC is governed by several organizational bodies outlined in Article 17 of its founding law:

• The Bank Council
  • Oversees general operations (currently non-operational).

• The Governor
  • Manages the bank and serves as its legal and administrative representative.
  • Signs notes and securities, official reports, contracts, and staff-related acts.
  • Represents the bank in legal proceedings.

• The Vice-Governor
  • Assists the Governor and assumes delegated responsibilities.
  • Acts as the Governor in cases of absence or impediment.

• The Board of Auditors
  • Established to provide oversight (currently non-operational).

Operational structure

The BCC's operational framework includes the following components:

• Senior Management Office
  • Consists of advisors to the Governor and Vice-Governor.

BCC of Kisangani

• Directorates
  • The headquarters in Kinshasa is organized into 10 Directorates:
    • Credit and Financial Markets
    • Treasury
    • Current Accounts in National Currency and Public Funds
    • Supervision of Financial Intermediaries
    • Foreign Services
    • Human Resources
    • Accounting and Budgetary Control
    • General Administration
    • Studies
    • Information Technology and Operational Research. Additionally, the Internal Audit unit operates with the rank of a Directorate.

• Provincial Directorates
  • The bank maintains eight provincial offices in Goma, Bandundu, Boma, Bukavu, Kananga, Kisangani, Lubumbashi, Mbandaka, and Mbuji-Mayi. In cities where the central bank is not present, a commercial bank can be appointed to represent it; Trust Merchant Bank performs such a role in Likasi and Kolwezi.

• Autonomous Agencies
  • Independent agencies are located in Kikwit, Matadi, Ilebo, Tshikapa, Kamina, and Kasumbalesa.

• Independent Units
  • Certain units operate outside the Directorates, including:
    • Security Sub-Directorate
    • Financial Asset Investment Committee
    • International and Regional Cooperation Secretariat
    • Brussels Representative Office
    • Provincial Coordination Support Secretariat
    • Hospital Center
    • National Mint

See also

• Economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• List of governors of the Banque Centrale du Congo
• Central banks and currencies of Africa
• List of central banks

Sources

• Banque du Congo belge. 1959. Banque du Congo belge, 1909-1959. Bruxelles, Editions L. Cuypers

External links

• (in French) Official site of Banque Centrale du Congo Archived 2011-01-16 at the Wayback Machine