Following the ministerial reshuffle that took place on the night of January 10 to 11 in Congo, the Congolese head of state Denis Sassou Nguesso, to everyone’s surprise, appointed Christian Yoka as Minister of the Economy, Finance and of the Budget.
By Rodrigue Fénelon Massala.
He was appointed to this position in replacement of Jean-Baptiste Ondaye, who since last November was in open disagreement with the Prime Minister and certain circles of the palace, in particular on the directive of the Head of State concerning the unity of the funds and the centralization of expenditure at the Treasury level.
Christian Yoka, an experienced lawyer in the fields of international finance and development, holds a DESS in law and taxation from Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne University as well as a master’s degree in banking and financial law from Boston University. He arrives on a slippery slope where, since Gilbert Ondogo, the duration of the mandate of a finance minister rarely exceeds two years.
Indeed, before being appointed as Minister of Finance in Congo, Christian Yoka held the position of director of the Africa department of the French Development Agency (AFD) in 2021. He has a long experience within the AFD, having led teams in various strategic regions of Africa. From 2018 to 2021, he served as regional director for East Africa. Previously, he held the same functions for Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea (2016-2018), then for Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia (2013-2016) .
Among other things, he also headed the AFD agency in the DRC from 2009 to 2013, acquiring a wealth of experience in international relations and development financing strategies.
The choice of an experienced technocrat to lead the national economy in the face of major challenges is a signal sent to financial circles. Its expertise in development financing and project management in Africa is a crucial asset for the Republic of Congo.
Christian Yoka will have to continue the economic and financial reforms necessary to revive the national economy. Its strategic skills and international expertise should enable it to boost public policies in key areas such as taxation, budgetary management and structuring investments. His appointment reflects the government’s desire to strengthen public finance management and promote inclusive economic policies.
In view of all the above, it is appropriate to emphasize that Christian Yoka, a technocrat, was called to effectively manage Congolese finances. We hope that he will be able to reform Congo’s outdated financial system through rigorous management of public resources and transparent governance. This would reassure partners and allow Congo to promote its signature in financial circles.
