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Africa Politics World

Congo President Shakes Up Cabinet, Replaces Finance Minister Amid Fiscal Woes

Congo President Shakes Up Cabinet, Replaces Finance Minister Amid Fiscal Woes
Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso. Source: AFP/Getty Images
  • PublishedJanuary 15, 2025

Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso has announced a cabinet reshuffle, replacing Finance Minister Jean-Baptiste Ondaye with Christian Yoka, following a period of financial strain that has led to a cash shortage in the Central African nation, Bloomberg reports.

The announcement was made by Florent Ntsiba, the director of staff in the presidency, in a statement broadcast on Tele Congo on Monday. Yoka will assume responsibility for the finance, budget, and public assets portfolios, according to Ntsiba.

The government framed the change as an effort to “give new impetus to government action in the quest for greater efficiency,” according to the statement.

The reshuffle comes as Congo, an oil-producing nation, struggles with its finances. Last year, the country restructured its domestic debt and implemented cost-saving measures after a cash crunch led to delays in paying public sector salaries. Former Finance Minister Ondaye had previously announced plans for reforms aimed at increasing state revenue in November.

The newly appointed Finance Minister, Christian Yoka, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He previously served as the head of the Africa department at the French Development Agency. Yoka holds a postgraduate diploma in law and taxation from the University of Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne, as well as a master’s degree in banking and finance law from Boston University.

In another move, Ludovic Ngatse, the former minister of budget and public assets, has been appointed as the new minister of the economy and regional integration, Ntsiba confirmed.

Written By
Michelle Larsen