CENAREF
The DRC's financial intelligence unit. It receives, analyses, and disseminates suspicious transaction reports to law enforcement and competent authorities.
Africa · Country coverage
AML/CTF Compliance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The DRC regulates AML/CTF through CENAREF under Law 04/016. See the obligations and how MemberCheck supports them.
Last updated
Screening coverage for the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Sanctions & PEP screening
- Adverse media checks
- Customer identity verification
- Jurisdiction risk checks
- Ongoing monitoring
Key facts
AML supervisor / FIUCellule Nationale des Renseignements Financiers (CENAREF)
FATF statusOn the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring ("grey list"); also a GABAC member
Primary legislationLaw No. 04/016 of 19 July 2004 on the Fight Against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, as amended by Law No. 16/002 of 2016
Overview
AML/CTF compliance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo regulates money laundering and terrorist financing through Law 04/016 of 2004, supported by CENAREF, which receives and analyses suspicious transaction reports.
Regulated entities must apply customer due diligence, identify beneficial owners, monitor relationships, and report suspicious activity to CENAREF. Given targeted UN, US, and EU sanctions programmes relating to the DRC, particularly in the extractives sector, firms should also screen against applicable sanctions lists as part of standard due diligence.
MemberCheck helps teams meet these obligations by screening customers and entities against global sanctions, PEP, and adverse-media data, verifying identities, and monitoring risk continuously, with a clear audit trail behind every decision.
Regulation
All solutions →Key laws and regulators.
Law No. 04/016 of 2004
The DRC's principal AML statute, as amended by Law No. 16/002 of 2016, setting customer due diligence, recordkeeping, and reporting obligations for financial institutions and other obligated entities.
FATF increased monitoring
The DRC is currently on the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring (commonly called the "grey list"), having committed to an action plan to address identified strategic deficiencies. Firms should apply enhanced due diligence accordingly and account for targeted UN, US, and EU sanctions programmes relating to the DRC, particularly in the extractives sector.
GABAC membership
The DRC is also a member of the Action Group against Money Laundering in Central Africa (GABAC), a FATF-style regional body, and is working to align its regime with the FATF 40 Recommendations through that membership.
Obligations
What regulated businesses must do.
- Apply customer due diligence and identity verification
- Identify beneficial owners of corporate customers
- Report suspicious transactions to CENAREF
- Screen against applicable sanctions lists (UN, US, EU, and other regimes)
- Conduct ongoing monitoring of customer relationships
- Maintain records and provide staff training
1,000+
Global watchlists screened
<1s
Average screening response
24h
Watchlist refresh cycle
195
Countries covered
FAQ
Common questions.
Who supervises AML/CTF in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
CENAREF (Cellule Nationale des Renseignements Financiers) receives and analyses suspicious transaction reports, while the Banque Centrale du Congo supervises banks and other licensed financial institutions for AML/CTF compliance.
What is the main AML law in the DRC?
Law No. 04/016 of 19 July 2004, as amended by Law No. 16/002 of 2016, sets the customer due diligence, recordkeeping, and reporting obligations for regulated entities in the DRC.
Is the DRC a member of FATF?
The DRC is not itself a FATF member; it belongs to GABAC, the Action Group against Money Laundering in Central Africa. As of 2026, the DRC remains on the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring (the "grey list"), reflecting an agreed action plan to strengthen its AML/CTF regime. Firms should apply enhanced due diligence and account for targeted UN, US, and EU sanctions programmes relating to the DRC.
How does MemberCheck support AML compliance in the DRC?
MemberCheck screens customers and entities against global sanctions, PEP, and adverse-media data, verifies identities, and monitors risk continuously, with an audit trail behind every decision.
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