DRC: $3.5 million seized at Ndjili Airport linked to microfinance transfer

Kinshasa – A significant financial operation at Ndjili International Airport has culminated in the seizure of over $3.5 million USD, a sum far exceeding the authorized limit for a financial transfer. The funds, belonging to a licensed microfinance institution, were intended to supply its clients in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically in areas not controlled by the M23 rebellion.

André Wameso, the governor of the Central Bank of Congo (BCC), clarified the situation, stating that while the institution had official permission for a transfer, the amount discovered during airport security checks did not match the authorized documentation. This discrepancy led to the immediate confiscation of the cash by state security services.

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The documents authorizing the transfer of funds were for an amount that was not the one that was in the hands of the agents of this financial messaging.

The seized funds are now held securely within the Bank's vaults. A judicial inquiry has been launched to determine accountability for the breach of authorization. Depending on the investigation's outcome, authorities will decide on the potential restitution of the funds, accompanied by sanctions, or their definitive confiscation. This incident highlights the strict regulatory environment governing financial transfers within the DRC, particularly those destined for volatile regions.

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The 3.5 million dollars are currently held in the Bank's vaults.