On Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Assurance et Réassurances du Congo (ARC) building in Brazzaville, Ursus Fred Otsoa Andely was installed as Head of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), with the rank of Director General. The ceremony was overseen by Audrey Alban Jean-Baptiste Mapithy-Ma-Mapithy, Administrative and Legal Advisor (CAJ) to the Minister of Finance, Budget and Public Portfolio, Christian Yoka.

Taking office three weeks after his appointment by the Council of Ministers, by Decree No. 2025-41 of February 26, 2025, the new Director General of ANIF (National Institute for Financial Institutions) took questions from the press.

Mr. Director General, you have just been installed in your position. What is your initial reaction to these new responsibilities?

I am aware of the responsibility, because ANIF has a very important role to play in the Congolese financial system. For us, it is important to ensure that the system is sound. An unsound financial system is devastating for a country's economy and its development. It hinders Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). It limits partners' confidence in the banking system, the tax system, and so on. In this position, I am responsible for ensuring that the Congolese financial system is protected from anything that is not good.

You knew the house from the outside; now you're inside. There are many problems. What are your first specifications?

The first point of my specifications concerns improving the working conditions of the staff. My first battle is to ensure that these deserving, motivated, and dynamic staff work in good conditions, that is, with IT tools that meet current standards; with offices that are in good condition; and, of course, with salaries that are paid on time. This is what I will focus on right away.

What would be your message to the ANIF staff?

It's a message of encouragement. I will first thank them, because they alone have kept this ship afloat for more than two years. Since my illustrious predecessor was elevated to the community level, it is he who is now in charge, at the community level, of the fight we will wage at the national level. I mentioned Mr. André Kanga (Secretary General of the Action Group Against Money Laundering in Central Africa (GABAC, Editor's note). He was appointed by the six heads of state of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) for two years, and his staff has been running this house single-handedly. These men and women gave me the opportunity to find a house in good condition. And I encourage them to continue this momentum. Just because I'm here doesn't mean they're going to leave me to carry the load alone.

The Communications Unit of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Public Portfolio