How to send money to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2026: dollars to a foreign currency account in 2-4 business days or francs at the bank's rate
In 2026 a dollar in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is worth about 2,267 francs, and 88% of bank deposits in the country are held in foreign currency. We explain why a transfer to Kinshasa or Lubumbashi is easier in dollars, how the franc strengthened in 2025, on what terms a foreigner gets land and which papers each amount needs.
Money is sent to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in dollars to the recipient's foreign currency account at a bank in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi or Matadi. The dollar is an everyday currency for deposits and payments here, and the Congolese franc strengthened in 2025. On 7 October 2026 the Central Bank of the Congo set the dollar at 2,266.67 francs.
| What you send | How it works on 9 October 2026 | Credited in |
|---|---|---|
| US dollars | through a correspondent bank to a foreign currency account, 2-4 business days | dollars |
| euros | to a bank account, exchanged at the bank's rate | dollars or Congolese francs |
| family support, study, medical treatment | to the recipient's account with a payment purpose | dollars or francs |
| paying for a plot or a house | to the seller's account once the concession is registered | dollars |
Checked on 9 October 2026. Rate of the Central Bank of the Congo on 7 October 2026: 2,266.67 francs per dollar and 2,548.95 per euro.
2,267 francs per dollar: the franc strengthened by 30% in 2025
At the start of 2025 a dollar was worth about 2,850 Congolese francs, and on the last day of the year 2,181. Since then the rate has stayed in a narrow band: 2,244 at the end of June 2026 and 2,266.67 on 7 October. Annual inflation in the country at the start of October 2026 was 3.7%, according to the central bank.
For a sender this means a dollar transfer in 2026 gives the recipient about as many francs as at the start of the year. Dollars can be changed into francs in parts, as expenses come up. A manager will suggest the best way to credit your amount.
The central bank publishes the official rate every business day along with the euro, pound and yuan rates, and the country's banks use it for exchange.
Dollars on the account: 88% of the country's deposits are in foreign currency
According to the Central Bank of the Congo, at the end of June 2026 accounts at the country's banks held $20.4 billion, and only 11.7% of that was in francs. The rest is deposits in dollars and other currencies, which grew by 27% in a year.
That is why a transfer from abroad is easiest in dollars: the money reaches the recipient's foreign currency account with no exchange. The central bank is developing electronic payments, and a transfer to a bank account is the simplest route. The sender needs the account number, the bank's name and its international code: the country has no account number in the international format.
Land belongs to the state: a foreigner gets a plot for 25 years with renewal
Under the 1973 land law all land in the country belongs to the state and is used under a concession. A foreigner, like a company, gets an ordinary concession - a long-term lease, a building right or a right of use - for up to 25 years with the right to renew. A perpetual concession is available only to citizens.
So money for a plot or a house is sent after the concession contract and the registration certificate are issued. More about the capital is on the Kinshasa page.
Papers for a transfer to Kinshasa and Lubumbashi by amount
Up to $10,000. The purpose is enough: family support, medical treatment, school fees or rent.
$10,000-100,000. A bank in Kinshasa will ask for a six-month statement and a document on the money: an income certificate, a sale contract or a gift agreement. For a purchase, add the concession contract.
From $100,000. A source-of-wealth file and the deal contracts are prepared; details are in proof of source of funds and moving home sale proceeds abroad, and moving capital is on the capital relocation page. If a regular transfer of this size is slow, there are usually more options than it seems: a manager will choose the route.
From Kinshasa to Brazzaville, Angola and Zambia
To the Republic of the Congo money leaves in euros: across the river there is a separate franc pegged to the euro. To Angola and Zambia dollars are sent, and the recipient's bank changes them into the local currency. To Rwanda and Uganda it is also easier to send dollars.
Sending money to nearby countries
- How to send money to the Republic of the Congo
- How to send money to Angola
- How to send money to Zambia
- How to send money to Tanzania
- How to send money to Uganda
- How to send money to Rwanda
Every country and moving capital step by step are in the capital relocation section.
FAQ
How many Congolese francs was a dollar worth on 7 October 2026?
By how much did the Congolese franc strengthen in 2025?
Can you receive a transfer in Kinshasa in dollars?
For how long does a foreigner get land in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
What is inflation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2026?
What details does a sender need for a transfer to a bank in Kinshasa?
We will suggest the best way to send your money
We will choose a transfer method for your amount and country, prepare the documents on the origin of the money for the bank, make the transfer through licensed partners and follow it until the money is credited. Ask your question in the chat - the manager will suggest the best terms and the cost. The legal side with banks and government bodies is handled by Murblz specialists and locally licensed partners.
Details and cost are with the manager in the chat. Describe your situation and we will reply right away.
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