The role of public financial management and public management in promoting sustainable economic growth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This article examines the combined role of Public Financial Management (PFM) and public management practices in promoting sustainable economic growth in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Despite significant natural resource endowments, the DRC continues to experience structural economic weaknesses linked to inefficient public spending, weak institutions, and poor managerial performance within public administration. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines documentary analysis and an empirical survey conducted among 250 stakeholders (n = 250), the study reveals that managerial deficiencies—particularly weak leadership, corruption, limited managerial capacity, and inadequate performance control—significantly undermine the effectiveness of PFM. The findings demonstrate that integrating modern public management principles, such as results-based management, transparency, accountability, and digital governance, can substantially enhance budgetary performance, service delivery, and investor confidence. The article concludes that sustainable economic growth in the DRC depends not only on financial reforms but also on a profound managerial transformation of the public sector.

Cet article analyse le rôle conjoint de la gestion des finances publiques (GFP) et du management public dans la promotion d'une croissance économique durable en République Démocratique du Congo (RDC). Malgré un potentiel économique important lié à ses ressources naturelles, la RDC continue de faire face à des faiblesses structurelles.