There are doubts the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will hold the agreed presidential elections this year after an official reportedly revealed that the country will not be able to afford the poll costs.

According to BBC, the central African country's budget minister Pierre Kangudia put the election cost at $1.8-billion and said this was "too expensive".

Political parties signed a deal last year, that called on President Joseph Kabila to leave power after an election that would be held by the end of 2017.

The agreement came after months of unrest that left dozens dead.

Kabila became president in 2001 after the assassination of his father, and was constitutionally barred from seeking another term after his mandate expired December 19.

In his New Year's message to the Congolese people, Kabila reasserted his commitment to democracy even as opponents accused him of prolonging his rule through a technicality.

"The source of legitimacy is only through the people at the ballot box," Kabila was quoted as saying at the time.