Rising Confidence in World Bank’s Role in DRC, but Corruption Still Clouds Progress

The World Bank’s 2025 survey in the DRC shows rising trust, visibility, and impact, with stakeholders praising progress in education, infrastructure, and governance. However, corruption, weak institutions, and limited local engagement remain major hurdles to sustained development.

The World Bank Group’s FY2025 Country Opinion Survey Report for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) shows growing confidence in the Bank’s work and impact. Prepared by the ECR Business Intelligence Team with support from Target SARL in Kinshasa, the survey gathered views from 354 respondents across government, civil society, academia, media, and the private sector. The findings reveal that more Congolese stakeholders now see the World Bank as a trusted and effective development partner, though corruption and weak institutions continue to challenge progress.

A More Trusted and Relevant Partner

The survey found that the World Bank is among the most trusted international institutions in the DRC, alongside United Nations agencies. Respondents rated their trust in the Bank at 6.7 out of 10 and its relevance to national development at 6.9, both up from 2019. Familiarity with the Bank’s work also rose, particularly among government officials and state-owned enterprises. However, awareness remains lower in local governments and the private sector. Despite these gains, the DRC still trails slightly behind other Eastern and Southern African countries in overall perceptions of effectiveness.

Government respondents consistently rated the Bank more positively than civil society or media representatives, who were more skeptical. Still, the general tone of the 2025 survey suggests that the World Bank’s outreach, communication, and responsiveness have improved meaningfully in recent years.

Education and Infrastructure Top the Agenda

When asked about development priorities, education emerged as the number one concern, cited by 60 percent of respondents. It was followed by agriculture and food security (53%), health (43%), and transport infrastructure (40%). Stakeholders emphasized that better schools, roads, and reliable electricity are essential for improving livelihoods and creating jobs.

Many respondents urged the Bank to focus more on governance and anti-corruption measures, while others called for greater support to the private sector to stimulate economic growth. The Bank’s initiatives in education, agriculture, and environment, such as the PADMPME program for women entrepreneurs and the National Parks Rehabilitation Project, were praised for making a visible difference in communities.

Corruption Still a Major Obstacle

While optimism is growing, corruption continues to weigh heavily on development progress. More than half of respondents (55%) named corruption as the main obstacle to reform, followed by poor government accountability and political interference. Civil society members stressed that reforms often fail because local communities are not fully involved in project design and monitoring.

Despite these challenges, the report highlights encouraging signs of reform within the World Bank’s own operations. About 60 percent of respondents said the technical quality of Bank-supported projects has improved, and over half noted better coordination with other donors. Stakeholders also believe the Bank has become more responsive and transparent, though they want it to simplify administrative procedures and speed up project approvals.

Financing and Knowledge Work Make an Impact

The Bank’s financial tools, including loans, grants, and trust funds, received higher marks this year. Stakeholders rated them 6.6 out of 10 for meeting national needs and 6.1 for timeliness, both improvements from 2019. Respondents valued not only the funding itself but also the training, data, and research that accompany it. About 73 percent said they had used World Bank knowledge products in the past three years, especially through workshops and technical training.

This knowledge work has had a tangible influence on policy. Three out of four respondents said the Bank’s advice shaped government reforms in areas such as education, public finance, and environmental management. Examples include modernizing teacher training, adopting a new finance law, and tightening mining regulations. Stakeholders encouraged the Bank to expand vocational programs and invest in long-term capacity building for national institutions to ensure projects remain sustainable.

Communication and Collaboration: The Next Frontier

Perceptions of the World Bank as a long-term development partner have improved notably. Respondents gave high ratings for its collaboration with the national government, but said engagement with academia, civil society, and local governments needs strengthening. Many called for deeper partnerships with local experts and communities to make projects more inclusive and responsive to real needs.

Communication also plays a big role in shaping public perception. Nearly 60 percent of respondents said they had recently heard about the World Bank’s work, mainly on water access, governance reforms, and small business support. Most people learn about the Bank through the media, social networks, or direct contact with its staff. Stakeholders expressed interest in receiving more impact assessments, regular project updates, and practical information on how to partner with the Bank.

Overall, the 2025 Country Opinion Survey presents a hopeful outlook. The World Bank’s reputation in the DRC is strengthening as it delivers more visible results, supports key reforms, and opens its doors to local voices. But the message from Congolese stakeholders is clear: to maintain this trust, the Bank must go beyond financing, by fighting corruption, cutting red tape, and ensuring that development is truly driven by the people it aims to serve.