Core functions According to Law No. 005/2002 of 7 May 2002, governing the establishment, organization, and operation of the BCC, Article 1 defines the BCC as a public-law institution possessing legal personality. This status grants it the authority to enter into contracts, resolve disputes, make settlements, engage in legal proceedings, and acquire or dispose of property. Article 5 further specifies that the bank's capital is wholly owned by the Congolese state. Under this same law, the BCC is entrusted with several key missions: • Implement the country's
monetary policy, the main objective of which is to ensure the stability of the general
price level, which thus provides the internal and external stability of the national currency; • Hold and manage the official reserves of the Republic; • Issue standards and regulations regarding foreign exchange operations; • Participate in the negotiation of any international agreement involving payment arrangements and ensure its implementation; • Develop regulations and supervise credit institutions,
microfinance institutions, and other financial intermediaries; • Promote the proper functioning of clearing and
payment systems; • Promote the development of money and
capital markets.
Main objectives The BCC is tasked with formulating and implementing the country's monetary policy, with the primary objective of ensuring the stability of the general price level. It exercises full independence in the execution of this mission, as provided by Article 3 of its governing law. In this context, the BCC closely monitors price fluctuations of
goods and services within the market. While upholding its primary mandate of
price stability, the bank also carries out the full range of functions typical of a central bank, including the following: •
Issuing institution: • The BCC alone is authorized, within the national territory, to issue
banknotes and coins with legal tender status, denominated in the monetary unit of the Democratic Republic of the Congo — the
Congolese franc — or its subdivisions. It is responsible for maintaining the internal and external stability of the
national currency. •
Bank of banks: • The BCC supervises the banking system and oversees the distribution of credit by banking and
non-banking financial institutions. •
State cashier: • Acting under the agreement that governs state cashier services, the BCC manages the republic's
financial transactions, executing payments on behalf of the state. Where it lacks direct representation, it may delegate this function to accredited
financial institutions. The bank also administers
public debt and special government accounts in coordination with relevant ministries. Additionally, it handles the purchase, sale, transfer, collection, and safekeeping of checks, securities, and other financial instruments on behalf of the state, as well as collects any proceeds arising from such holdings. •
Advisor to the state: • As the government's advisor on economic, monetary, and financial matters, the BCC may, either on its own initiative or at the government's request, issue opinions or provide advice on any policy or measure the government intends to adopt. • '''Manager of the republic's Official Gold and Foreign Exchange Reserves''': • The BCC holds and manages the
gold and
foreign currency reserves of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. •
Supervisor of financial intermediaries: • The BCC is responsible for developing regulations and supervising credit institutions,
microfinance institutions, and other financial intermediaries.
Governance structure According to Article 17 of its founding law, the BCC operates under several governing bodies. The Bank Council is responsible for overseeing the institution's overall activities. The governor directs the bank, serving as its legal and administrative representative, and is authorized to sign
banknotes, securities, official reports, contracts, and personnel-related documents, as well as to represent the institution in legal matters. The vice-governor supports the governor, carrying out delegated duties and assuming the governor's role in cases of absence or incapacity. Oversight responsibilities are also entrusted to the board of auditors, while the executive management office is composed of the governor's and vice-governor's advisors and expert consultants.
List of governors Operational structure Directorates According to Service Order No. 075/09 of 12 June 2009, the BCC comprises the following general directorates at its headquarters: • General directorate of monetary policy and banking operations • Directorate of Economic Analysis • Directorate of Statistics • Directorate of Markets and Banking Operations • Directorate of Treasury • General directorate of administration and technical services • Directorate of General Administration • Directorate of Information Technology • Directorate of Human Resources • Directorate of Accounting and Budget • Sub-Directorate of Procurement • Autonomous structures • Internal Audit • Change Management Directorate • Legal Directorate • Directorate of Supervision of Financial Intermediaries • Provincial Directorates • Secretariat for Provincial Coordination Support • Brussels Representative Office • 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: • Sub-Directorate of Security • Committee for Active Financial Investments • Secretariat for Coordination of International and Regional Cooperation • Brussels Representative Office • Secretariat for Provincial Coordination Support • Health Center • Mint Hospital ==See also==