Insufficient information about market supply can fuel inflation. Sometimes, unscrupulous merchants exploit shortages to artificially inflate prices. Preventing such practices is crucial for economic and social equity.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has unveiled a new mobile app, TALO, developed by local talent to improve economic oversight. Presented to the Council of Ministers, last Friday, by Deputy Prime Minister Daniel Mukoko Samba, the app aims to improve transparency and price regulation through real-time monitoring of commercial practices and stock flows.

TALO comprises two modules: a mobile module for field investigators to collect and centralize price data weekly, and a platform for businesses to directly submit information on inventory, pricing, and pricing structures. The system aims to enhance transparency in commercial practices and strengthen economic regulation.

Its adoption demonstrates the Congolese government’s commitment to enhancing transparency and restoring trust in economic oversight for both businesses and the public. According to Mukoko Samba, the initiative seeks to turn oversight functions into genuine regulatory tools, free from abuses, to ensure a fairer and more reliable business environment.

TALO aligns with broader efforts to improve economic regulation in the DRC. By enabling more transparent and effective management of economic controls, the app supports adherence to standards, strengthens control missions, and safeguards due process for businesses. It also facilitates complaint collection and the detection of potential irregularities.

With this system, the government aims to create a more equitable economic framework that fosters transparency and strengthens the trust of economic actors. Raising operator awareness, through the distribution of a guide on economic oversight, is also essential to securing a more regulated and investment-friendly business environment in the DRC.