Introduction: A Congo in search of monetary and digital independence
For decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo has remained dependent on an international financial system that exposes it to external shocks, currency volatility, and foreign interference. Yet today, the country has a historic opportunity to build a new monetary and digital architecture. Two major projects are emerging in this dynamic:
- The FCN (Franc Congolais Numérique), which is the official digital currency of the country, backed by a law on monetary intangibility submitted to the Constitutional Court.
- EYA (Eyano Cryptocurrency), a private digital currency supported by a white paper currently being drafted, with the ambition of becoming a financing and growth tool for businesses and the diaspora.
These two instruments, complementary and strategic, pave the way for stronger economic sovereignty by connecting the subsoil and the soil, national resources and Congolese entrepreneurial creativity.
I. FCN: The Congolese monetary revolution
The Franc Congolais Numérique (FCN) is not just another cryptocurrency. It is a national digital currency, designed as the cornerstone of Congo’s new monetary sovereignty.
1.1 A currency backed by constitutional law
The introduction of the FCN is anchored in a strong legal framework: the law on monetary intangibility, filed before the Constitutional Court by the Eyano Group. This law ensures that Congo’s monetary sovereignty can never again be undermined, whether by unfavorable international agreements or by excessive dependence on foreign currencies.
1.2 A response to inflation and dollarization
The massive dollarization of the Congolese economy has weakened the national currency (CDF). The FCN, in digital form, makes it possible to:
- Stabilize trade through greater traceability and transparency.
- Fight imported inflation by reducing dependency on the U.S. dollar.
- Expand financial inclusion, since any citizen with a basic phone can access the official monetary system.
1.3 Integration into digital transformation
Beyond payments, the FCN can serve as a foundation for:
- Tax and customs payments.
- Social transfers (subsidies, family allowances).
- Management of cross-border flows in the Great Lakes region.
II. EYA: A cryptocurrency for innovation and the diaspora
Unlike the FCN, EYA is not an official state currency, but a private initiative. Its aim is to channel Congolese entrepreneurial energy into a digital asset capable of attracting investors, engaging the diaspora, and financing transformative projects.
2.1 A white paper under development
EYA will be launched on the basis of a white paper that will define:
- Its issuance mechanism.
- Its governance system.
- Its priority uses in the real economy.
2.2 A trusted currency for the diaspora
The Congolese diaspora sends home more than 2 billion USD annually. By offering a secure digital asset backed by tangible projects (agriculture, healthcare, real estate, education), EYA would allow:
- Lower transfer costs.
- Safer savings.
- A channeling of remittances into productive investments.
2.3 A lever for SMEs and startups
Young Congolese entrepreneurs need alternative financing. EYA can become:
- A medium of exchange within the Eyano ecosystem.
- A crowdfunding tool for innovative projects.
- An instrument for international partnerships, especially with African and Caribbean investors.
III. A strategic complementarity: FCN and EYA
Rather than opposing them, it is important to understand that FCN and EYA serve two complementary purposes:
- FCN is the official instrument of the Central Bank, ensuring stability and sovereignty.
- EYA is a flexible, private tool capable of financing innovation and attracting diaspora capital.
Together, they form a strategic duo:
- FCN secures macroeconomic stability.
- EYA fuels microeconomic growth, SMEs, startups, and local initiatives.
IV. Challenges to overcome
4.1 Regulation
The coexistence of an official digital currency and a private cryptocurrency requires a clear framework to prevent:
- Excessive speculation.
- Money laundering risks.
- Institutional conflicts between public authorities and private actors.
4.2 Financial education
No digital currency can succeed without massive efforts in financial and digital literacy. Citizens must understand the benefits, risks, and security mechanisms related to FCN and EYA.
4.3 Digital infrastructure
For FCN and EYA to thrive, investment is needed in:
- Internet access in rural areas.
- Cybersecurity.
- Technological partnerships with global digital leaders.
V. Regional and international perspectives
5.1 A leading role in CEEAC and SADC
If Congo succeeds, it could inspire other African nations to adopt a digital monetary strategy. This could ultimately lead to a pan-African digital monetary union, a decisive step toward African federalism.
5.2 An alternative to Western financial systems
FCN and EYA enable Congo to emancipate itself from:
- The dominance of the U.S. dollar.
- Dependence on international money transfer platforms (Western Union, MoneyGram, etc.).
- The influence of foreign donors.
Conclusion: The dawn of a new sovereignty
History will remember that Congo chose to reclaim its monetary and digital destiny. The FCN, backed by constitutional law, embodies stability and sovereignty. EYA, driven by entrepreneurial creativity and the diaspora, embodies innovation and the future.
Together, they represent a double key to unlocking a Congo that is master of its economic destiny.
✍️
Augustin Kazadi-Cilumbayi
President & Chief Executive Officer
Eyano Publishing
📧 contact@eyanoexpress.com
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