Kivu Today has learned from sources within the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) that the movement will soon launch a new bank, Banque Du Kivu (BDK), and is set to begin operations in the coming days, marking the return of banking services to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The move comes after nearly two months of financial paralysis following the Kinshasa regime’s decision to cut off all banking services in the region.
With the closure of Rawbank, Trust Merchant Bank (TMB), Equity Bank, Sofibanque, Ecobank, Bank of Africa, Access Bank, and BDEGL, millions of residents in Goma, Bukavu, Uvira, and surrounding areas were left without access to financial services. Businesses collapsed, salaries went unpaid, and trade with neighboring countries was severely disrupted. The capture of Goma and Bukavu by M23 forces has now created the conditions for financial recovery, with BDK stepping in to fill the void left by Kinshasa’s economic blockade.
BDK’s arrival restores a structured financial system, reducing reliance on informal money networks and ensuring access to cash, secure transactions, and business operations. The bank is expected to integrate seamlessly with regional institutions such as Bank of Kigali, KCB Bank, and CRDB Bank, enabling smoother cross-border trade and financial stability.
Operating in a war zone presents challenges, and BDK is expected to adopt heightened security measures, promote digital banking, and implement capital controls to prevent financial instability. AFC told Kivu Today that by the end of March, their government should be able to operate, run and conduct financial transactions, pay salaries, and allow the economy to recover and function without restrictions.
The launch of BDK is a direct challenge to Kinshasa’s economic chokehold on eastern DRC. The Tshisekedi regime’s financial blockade deprived the region of essential services, leaving millions struggling to access funds. The establishment of BDK offers an alternative financial system, ensuring that economic activity can continue independently of the central government’s control.
As BDK prepares to open, it stands as a symbol of resilience and financial independence for the people of eastern DRC. The return of banking services marks a significant shift, allowing businesses to restart, salaries to be paid, and local economies to rebuild after months of deliberate economic suffocation.
This could be the best decision DRC Congo best decision made to improve the lives of the who has to poor for many years ✌️👌🙏