The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has launched a new blockchain-based platform to combat the growing problem of fake academic diplomas. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Higher and University Education, aims to verify the authenticity of university degrees and protect the credibility of academic qualifications in the country.

The platform, known as ‘Certification and Authentication of Diplomas,’ was developed in partnership with technology company TindaTech. It leverages blockchain technology to securely store and verify diploma records, ensuring they cannot be forged or altered.

 

According to the Minister of Higher Education, Mohamed Bule, the system will significantly reduce the circulation of fake diplomas, which has been a major challenge in the country’s education sector. He emphasized that this platform will also facilitate faster and more reliable verification for employers, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.

“The blockchain platform will help us authenticate academic degrees issued by Congolese universities and put an end to the fraud that undermines the value of our education,” Bule said during the launch event.

 

The problem is widespread. A 2023 audit by the Ministry revealed that nearly 30% of diplomas submitted for verification in the DRC were either fake or unverifiable, highlighting the urgent need for a robust authentication system. Similar issues plague other African countries as well — in Nigeria, for example, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has flagged thousands of fake certificates from unaccredited foreign and local institutions, while South Africa has seen a rise in the use of fraudulent qualifications submitted for employment.

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Accessible at www.schoolap.cd, the platform allows centralised, digital management of academic records. Each diploma will be stored and authenticated using blockchain technology, enabling instant online verification by graduates, employers, universities, and embassies.

The system ensures permanent digital archiving, protecting records from data loss, forgery, and physical damage.

The new system will also allow students to access and download digital copies of their verified diplomas.

The DRC’s move follows a growing trend among African countries embracing blockchain technology to address administrative and transparency issues. Similar initiatives have already been implemented in countries like

  • Ethiopia, and

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  • Mauritius.

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The platform is currently being rolled out in select universities, with plans to expand nationwide in the coming months.

 

 

 

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