The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has passed landmark laws to support its digital economy. Now entrepreneurs say it's time to make them count. 

Berry Numbi has watched Lubumbashi's tech scene grow fast. As director general of the Innovation Centre of Lubumbashi (CINOLU) — one of the country’s leading startup incubators — he has seen a new generation of entrepreneurs build companies capable of competing regionally. But he worries the foundations aren't keeping pace. 

'Our ecosystem is in acceleration phase: we've rapidly attracted private investment, and our tech startups have reached a solid level of maturity,' he said. 'The problem is they lack capital to scale and generate significant returns.' 

The DRC has made significant legislative progress in recent years. The 2022 Startup Promotion Law created a legal framework to recognize and certify innovative startups, offering incentives including tax benefits and access to public procurement. The 2023 Digital Code followed, establishing rules for e-commerce, electronic signatures, data protection and cybersecurity. Together, they represent a serious commitment to building a digital economy. 

The problem, say those working on the ground, is implementation. 

DRC tech laws on paper, gaps in practice 

‘Let's be frank: we have a legal framework that isn't being applied, a financial system not yet fully aligned with international standards, and a still-young tech ecosystem that must face mature markets in neighboring countries,’ said Numbi. 

Lionel Kabeya, head of communication at the Congo Business Federation — known by its French acronym FEC — echoes this concern. The FEC represents nearly 3,000 active businesses and was closely involved in drafting both laws alongside other entrepreneurship support organizations. 

‘Involving the private sector from the start was crucial so that the specific needs of the tech sector were really taken into account,’ said Kabeya, who also serves as Secretary of the National Commission of Young Entrepreneurs. ‘Now, fiscal reforms need to catch up.’ 

The tech sector's stakes are high. 'The tech sector is vital for the country's economy and its future development,' Kabeya said. 'But our tech sovereignty is threatened: the majority of financial resources for tech companies are currently controlled by foreign companies. For this law to survive, it must move from words to action.' 

The government has taken some steps. A guarantee fund — the Fonds de Garantie de l'Entrepreneuriat au Congo — was set up to help young entrepreneurs access credit. And in October 2025, a five-year National Digital Plan with an AI strategy was unveiled. But many entrepreneurs continue to seek financing abroad, and international investment funds, sometimes disconnected from local realities, still dominate the market. The DRC does have success stories. Startup Labes key created Schoolap, a school management tool now used in several African countries. Vault Pay is the first DRC-led company accepted into the prestigious Silicon Valley accelerator Y Combinator. But Numbi and Kabeya say these remain exceptions. 

An ecosystem in high gear 

The Congolese digital ecosystem has grown rapidly over the last 10 years, driven by a wave of private entrepreneurs, tech-hungry youth, and international investors enticed by the market's potential.

ITC, through the UK Trade Partnerships (UKTP) programme, has been working to raise the profile of DRC tech hubs and prepare startups for export markets. In 2025, ITC supported hub leaders' participation in the AfriLabs Annual Gathering, which brought together tech organizations from across the continent, and a regional bootcamp held alongside Kenya's Latitude59 event, organized with Smart Africa. 

'International exposure is key. It accelerates learning in strategic priorities, best practices, partner networks, and codes of success,' Numbi said. An online session on AI tools for hub managers also helped organizations operate more efficiently with limited resources. 

For Numbi, the direction is clear — but the pace needs to change. 'These events show us how other ecosystems structure their business models, what tools they use, how they deploy them, and especially how their governments concretely support their entrepreneurs.'  

About the programme

Through trade promotion and capacity building activities, UKTP strengthens various stages of the value chain. Collaborating closely with government agencies, private sector organizations, public sector institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises and other local stakeholders, UKTP fosters a vibrant trade environment that drives sustainable economic growth.  

UKTP – funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – is dedicated to enhancing trade from developing countries to the United Kingdom and European Union.  

By maximizing the benefits of UK and EU Economic Partnership Agreements and the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme, UKTP empowers small and medium-sized enterprises to expand their international reach and attract investment.