Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, 13 November 2025 (ECA) -The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), development and national stakeholders, has taken a major step toward building a trusted, inclusive, and innovation-driven data ecosystem. Over three days, from 11 to 13 November 2025, senior government officials, regulators, and experts gathered in Kinshasa for an intensive capacity-building workshop followed by the national validation of the country’s National Data Governance Strategy.
Building Data Governance Leadership in Africa
The Capacity-Building Programme for Decision-Makers on Data Governance convened over 100 senior government officials and institutional representatives, reflecting the full ecosystem of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s emerging data governance landscape. Delegates included representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office and key ministries such as Digital Economy, Finance, and Higher Education, as well as agencies responsible for telecommunications, customs, judicial administration, taxation, and population identification. Participants also represented the national fibre-optic company, the higher institute of computer science, and partner institutions. Organized with the goal of strengthening the operational readiness of national institutions, the workshop deepened participants’ understanding of data as a strategic public asset and enhanced their capacity.
During the event, ECA presented the six strategic pillars of the strategy, developed through an extensive evidence-based, multi-stakeholder process. The presentation highlighted how the strategy addresses DRC’s major challenges, including overcoming fragmented, siloed data management, ensuring data security and confidentiality, strengthening system interoperability, and fostering an environment conducive to innovation. At the same time, the framework underscores the significant opportunities to improve public service delivery, enhance administrative efficiency, increase transparency, and energize the Congolese digital economy.
Furthermore, delegates explored the strategy’s roadmap and key performance indicators while engaging in broader discussions on its overall vision. The sessions fostered open dialogue, with a strong focus on adopting the strategy, integrating proposed amendments, and defining next steps for post-validation implementation.
The validated Strategy outlines the DRC’s roadmap for:
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Strengthening institutional data governance and leadership;
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Establishing a robust legal, regulatory, and ethical framework;
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Enhancing interoperability and data infrastructure;
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Ensuring security, integrity, and availability of critical data systems;
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Promoting data skills development, literacy, and innovation-driven value creation;
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Leveraging data for evidence-based policymaking, service delivery, and monitoring national and continental development goals.
A Milestone Moment: National Validation of the Data Governance Strategy
On 13 November 2025, the DRC reached a significant milestone with the official validation ceremony of the National Data Governance Strategy, hosted at the Immeuble intelligent (Salon Rouge-Bleu) in Kinshasa. The event was officially opened by Mr. Mactar Seck, ECA Chief of Emerging and Frontier Technologies, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, highlighted that, with over 100 million citizens and a fast-growing digital sector, the strategy will help the DRC use data for sustainable development, better public services, and greater transparency. He emphasized that this approach will open up economic opportunities, streamline administration, and support evidence-based policymaking essential for the country’s digital transformation.
In her remarks, Tusi Fokane, Data Policy Advisor at AUDA-NEPAD, representing the African Union Commission, congratulated DRC for reaching this domestication milestone, and added: "The DRC joins other member states such as The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Lesotho and Burundi who have all successfully participated in the AU Data Policy Framework technical assistance program. This shows that many of our member states are committed to achieving the goals of the continent’s Digital Transformation Strategy."
At the conclusion of the validation workshop, Me Séraphin Umba Kapepe, Director of Cabinet, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Digital Economy, emphasized: “This provides a strategic compass to guide DRC’s digital potential. Governing data is governing the State and by governing through data, we strengthen our sovereignty, enhance public service efficiency, and build a transparent, inclusive digital nation." He commended the experts and stakeholders who contributed to its formulation and added: “On behalf of H.E. the Minister, I encourage every ministry and public administration to embrace this strategy as a catalyst for modernization and evidence-based governance.”
The ceremony concluded with a symbolic handover of the strategy to the Government of the DRC, where the Ministry announced upcoming plans to establish a National Implementation Committee, launch awareness and outreach initiatives on the strategy, and undertake the necessary regulatory work to ensure its effective sectoral integration.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org