Congolese digitization priorities set

Congolese authorities have set priorities to speed up the digitization of public services, with the success of these efforts relying heavily on the ability of government agencies to share data using standardized rules. A steering committee meeting on October 15 identified several key projects, such as digitizing birth certificates and judicial records, improving the accuracy of civil servant records, and preparing for interoperability between financial and land-related services. These efforts are expected to improve public revenue collection and expenditure control beginning in 2027.

Data governance project underway

A complementary data governance project is being developed, with work on information exchange between government agencies planned for 2026 in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). In June, UNECA helped conduct a national assessment of data governance in the Congo, followed by workshops involving representatives from 21 institutions. The assessment found weaknesses in how different institutions share data, technical standards, and the overall coordination between government bodies.

World Bank supports digital transformation

A national data governance strategy is being developed, informed by a 2022 World Bank study under the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (PATN). The World Bank highlighted that separate digital investments by different government agencies had resulted in systems that do not work well together and are difficult to expand. The PATN program, funded by a $100 million loan, includes digitizing procedures, connecting information systems, and securely sharing public data across agencies.

Other African countries pursue similar goals

The Congo is not the only country focusing on these issues. Rwanda approved a national policy for data sharing between public institutions in May 2025, establishing a common framework for exchanging information while protecting privacy. In Ghana, the government is creating a national data exchange center to connect 48 public registries. The minister in charge of Digital Affairs said the goal is to improve information sharing and public policy planning, though the full implementation timeline remains unclear.

Interoperability involves both systems and rules

These examples highlight two key aspects of interoperability: the technical infrastructure that allows data to be shared and the rules that govern how this sharing occurs. The priorities announced on October 15 represent a step toward coordination, but the real impact will depend on the development of interconnected systems and improvements in how public services operate.