Financial Crime World

Democratic Republic of Congo’s Anti-Money Laundering/Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) System

Key Findings

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s AML/CFT system has several weaknesses that hinder its effectiveness in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

  • Limited Capacity and Moral Integrity: Investigators and magistrates lack the capacity and moral integrity to effectively combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
  • Weak Legislative and Regulatory Framework: The current legislation leaves some financial institutions (FIs) and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) outside the scope of AML/CFT preventive measures.
  • National Risk Assessment: A national risk assessment was conducted in 2013, but the report was not approved. Another NRA exercise was underway at the time of the site visit.
  • Inadequate Coordination and Strategy: The DRC lacks a comprehensive AML/CFT strategy and effective coordination among relevant authorities.
  • Lack of Resources: The Committee to Combat Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism (COLUB) suffers from limited resources, hindering its ability to hold meetings and adopt measures.

Technical Compliance

The DRC’s AML/CFT legal framework has not been updated since 2004 and does not comply with international standards, including the 2012 FATF Recommendations.

  • Outdated Legal Framework: The DRC’s AML/CFT legal framework has not been updated since 2004 and does not comply with international standards, including the 2012 FATF Recommendations.
  • Insufficient Implementation of Risk-Based Approach: The DRC lacks a clear definition of a supervision policy emphasizing the risk-based approach.

Recommendations

To strengthen the AML/CFT system in the Democratic Republic of Congo:

  1. Strengthen Capacity and Moral Integrity: Invest in training and capacity-building programs for investigators and magistrates to enhance their effectiveness.
  2. Update Legislative and Regulatory Framework: Amend existing legislation to include all FIs and DNFBPs within the scope of AML/CFT preventive measures.
  3. Conduct Comprehensive National Risk Assessment: Complete a national risk assessment to identify areas of high risk and develop targeted strategies to mitigate them.
  4. Develop Effective AML/CFT Strategy and Coordination: Establish a comprehensive AML/CFT strategy and ensure effective coordination among relevant authorities.
  5. Provide Adequate Resources: Allocate sufficient resources to COLUB to enable it to hold meetings, adopt measures, and effectively combat money laundering and terrorist financing.