Since taking office in January 2019 following a historic transfer of power, and after securing re-election in December 2023, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi has left a significant mark on the recent history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). While his administration continues to generate debate and criticism, particularly regarding security and governance, a number of reforms initiated under his leadership have brought about major changes that are gradually reshaping the country’s political, social, and economic landscape.
One of the most emblematic achievements of his first term remains the introduction of free primary education in 2019. This landmark reform has enabled millions of Congolese children to attend school without paying tuition fees, significantly reducing the financial barriers that had long prevented many families from educating their children. To support this ambitious policy, the government steadily increased investment in the education sector. The education budget rose by 9.1 percent between 2021 and 2022, followed by a further 23.9 percent increase between 2022 and 2023. During the same period, the average teacher’s salary increased from 159,662 Congolese francs to 408,689 Congolese francs, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening one of the country’s most strategic sectors, even though challenges related to education quality and infrastructure remain.
In the area of fundamental freedoms, the political climate has undergone notable improvements. Shortly after taking office, President Tshisekedi signed a decree granting presidential pardons to approximately 700 prisoners, including several political opponents detained under the administration of former President Joseph Kabila. This decision, coupled with the return of numerous political exiles, marked the beginning of a significant political easing that was welcomed both nationally and internationally. The Democratic Republic of the Congo also climbed nearly 30 places in Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index between 2019 and 2023, reflecting progress in press freedom during this period.
President Tshisekedi’s tenure will also be remembered for a historic milestone in the country’s democratic journey. His accession to power marked the first peaceful transfer of power from an outgoing president to an opposition leader since the DRC gained independence in 1960. This unprecedented transition represented a major step forward in strengthening democratic institutions and consolidating constitutional governance.
In addition to institutional reforms, President Tshisekedi has championed the country’s digital transformation through the launch of the RDC-PASS, a unique digital identity system designed to provide every Congolese citizen with a secure national digital identity. The initiative aims to modernize public administration, improve access to government services, and strengthen digital governance across the country.
Another flagship initiative of his administration is the Local Development Program for the 145 Territories, launched in 2022. The program seeks to reduce disparities between urban centers and rural communities by financing the construction of essential infrastructure, including schools, health centers, roads, administrative buildings, and public markets. It is widely regarded as one of the government’s most ambitious efforts to bring development closer to local communities.
After seven years at the helm of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi’s record remains mixed but undeniably marked by important structural reforms. Despite persistent challenges related to insecurity in the eastern part of the country, social expectations, and economic pressures, several initiatives undertaken under his leadership demonstrate a clear determination to modernize state institutions, strengthen citizens’ rights, and reaffirm the country’s sovereignty in an increasingly complex regional environment.
Balancing ambitious reforms with the realities of governing a vast and challenging nation, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi continues to pursue his vision of transforming the Democratic Republic of the Congo into a more stable, prosperous, and emerging nation.
