Democratic Republic of the Congo minimum wage 2026
The legal minimum wage in Democratic Republic of the Congo, in CDF, with its history and the law behind it.
Applies to: national, ordinary labourer (manoeuvre ordinaire), all employers.
Effective 1 Jan 2026. Set by Decree No. 25/22 of 30 May 2025 fixing the SMIG, minimum family allowances and housing value (JORDC of 28 October 2025), second stage payable from the January 2026 pay.
The DRC sets one daily minimum wage (SMIG) for the ordinary labourer, 21,500 Congolese francs a day since the January 2026 pay; higher categories are scaled up to ten times that for management staff.
Minimum wage history, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Daily rate in CDF. Each step is a change in the legal rate.
Every change we have on record
| Effective | Minimum wage | Legal instrument |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | FC 21,500 a day | Decree No. 25/22 of 30 May 2025 fixing the SMIG, minimum family allowances and housing value (JORDC of 28 October 2025), second stage payable from the January 2026 pay |
| 1 May 2025 | FC 14,500 a day | Decree No. 25/22 of 30 May 2025, first stage, payable from the May 2025 pay |
| 1 Jan 2019 | FC 7,075 a day | Decree No. 18/017 of 22 May 2018, full SMIG of 7,075 FC |
| 1 Jul 2018 | FC 4,716.66 a day | Decree No. 18/017 of 22 May 2018, second stage |
| 1 Jan 2018 | FC 2,358.33 a day | Decree No. 18/017 of 22 May 2018, first stage of 7,075 FC (non agro-industrial sectors) |
Democratic Republic of the Congo minimum wage: common questions
What is the minimum wage in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The minimum wage in Democratic Republic of the Congo is FC 21,500 a day, in CDF. It applies to: national, ordinary labourer (manoeuvre ordinaire), all employers. It took effect on 1 Jan 2026.
Which law sets the minimum wage in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Decree No. 25/22 of 30 May 2025 fixing the SMIG, minimum family allowances and housing value (JORDC of 28 October 2025), second stage payable from the January 2026 pay.
When did the minimum wage last change in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
It moved from FC 14,500 to FC 21,500 per day on 1 Jan 2026. Our records of earlier rates start in 1 Jan 2018.
Source: Decree No. 25/22 of 30 May 2025 fixing the SMIG, minimum family allowances and housing value (JORDC of 28 October 2025), second stage payable from the January 2026 pay. Retrieved 10 Oct 2026. See our methods.