Business
DR Congo Central Bank Announces Ban on Foreign Currency Cash Transactions from 2027
The Central Bank of the Democratic Republic of Congo (BCC) has announced plans to prohibit cash transactions in foreign currencies, including the US dollar, starting April 9, 2027, in a fresh attempt to promote the use of the local Congolese franc (CDF) and reduce dollarisation in the economy.
In a statement issued on Thursday, April 9, 2026, the BCC declared that from the effective date, “no person will be authorised to carry out cash transactions in foreign currencies,” and commercial banks will no longer be allowed to import or distribute physical foreign banknotes.
Under the new measure, payments in dollars, euros or other foreign currencies will still be permitted, but only through electronic means such as bank transfers, cards, or mobile money platforms. Cash dealings must be conducted exclusively in Congolese francs.
The BCC’s move aims to strengthen the national currency, enhance monetary sovereignty, and curb the widespread use of the US dollar, which dominates many business transactions in the country despite official policies favouring the CDF.
The Congolese economy has long been heavily dollarised, with foreign currency widely accepted even in everyday dealings.
This is not the first attempt by the BCC to limit dollar use. Previous efforts to ban or restrict foreign currency have largely failed to take full effect, as the dollar remains deeply entrenched in commerce, mining, and daily life across the vast Central African nation.
The announcement comes amid broader initiatives by the central bank, including interventions in the foreign exchange market and efforts to build gold reserves, to support the Congolese franc and reduce reliance on the US dollar.
Analysts and businesses are watching closely to see how the policy will be enforced, given past challenges in implementing similar restrictions in a country where cash remains king and banking penetration is relatively low.
The BCC has urged the public and financial institutions to prepare for the transition and to rely increasingly on formal banking and electronic payment systems.
Further details on implementation guidelines and penalties for non-compliance are expected in the coming months. The public is advised to monitor official communications from the Banque Centrale du Congo for updates.
Business
TIME Names Moniepoint CTO Felix Ike Among 50 Global Executives of the Year
In its citation, TIME said Ike “has helped to establish the business as one of Africa’s leading financial platforms.
TIME magazine has named Felix Ike, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Nigerian fintech Moniepoint, to its inaugural Executives of the Year: Tech and Data list.
Ike is the only executive representing an African company among the 50 leaders selected for the 2026 list.
The list, unveiled on Tuesday, September 22, recognises chief information officers, chief technology officers, chief data officers and chief product officers whose decisions are shaping how major organisations deploy technology and use data.
Moniepoint is also the only African company represented on the inaugural list.
Ike was named alongside executives from Netflix, CrowdStrike, Dell, Duolingo, AT&T, OpenAI, Anthropic, Shopify and Reddit, among others.
In its citation, TIME said Ike “has helped to establish the business as one of Africa’s leading financial platforms.
“The recognition follows Moniepoint’s inclusion in TIME’s 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential Companies, giving the Lagos-founded fintech another global distinction.
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Business
Djibouti, Ethiopia and Dangote to build $660 million petroleum pipeline
In Kenya, Dangote and the government are due to break ground on a new 700,000-barrel-per-day crude oil refinery in Lamu next week.
Ethiopia, Djibouti and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote plan to build a $660 million refined petroleum pipeline that will connect Ethiopia and Djibouti, a spokesperson in Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office said on Thursday.
The project will include a 120-km (75-mile) pipeline, as well as approximately 375,000 cubic metres of storage capacity at Damerjog in Djibouti and 800,000 cubic metres at Dewele in Ethiopia, the spokesperson told Reuters, adding it should become operational within 18 months.
Abiy said on his X account the project will be developed through a partnership between Ethiopian Investment Holdings and the Dangote Group, which separately is already building a $4 billion fertiliser pipeline and power plant, and a polypropylene packaging facility, in Ethiopia.
The project aims to reduce logistics costs and delays along the Ethiopia-Djibouti transport corridor, Abiy said.
Developers say the infrastructure will strengthen energy security and improve supply chain resilience for the two countries, he said.
Abiy is on a visit to Djibouti and made the announcement alongside its president, Ismail Omar Guelleh, and Dangote.
In Kenya, Dangote and the government are due to break ground on a new 700,000-barrel-per-day crude oil refinery in Lamu next week.
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