The National Order of the Leopard () was the highest honorific decoration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1966 until 2002 when it was discontinued and replaced by the Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba. It was instituted on 24 May 1966 in the Ordinance-law Number 66-330 by President Joseph-Désiré Mobutu. It rewarded the high military or civil merits rendered in the Congo.
The President of the Congo was the Grand Chancellor of the Order. Its administration was in the care of the Chancellor.
Ranks
The National Order of the Leopard was composed of five grades : Grand Cordon Grand Officer Commander Officer Knight
Notable recipients
Grand Cordons
Emperor Akihito
Maria Barroso
Jean-Bédel Bokassa
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Elizabeth II (1973) Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1973) Juan Carlos I of Spain Isaac Kalonji Jules Fontaine Sambwa Haile Selassie Queen Sofía of Spain Kim Il Sung (1992) Kim Jong Il (1992) Grand Officers Georges Forrest Paul Muhona Commanders Fernand Kazadi Lupelekese Hugh Wontner Yosia Bulo Butso Officers Peter Piot Robin Gillett Knights Jean Ruhigita Ndagora Bugwika Raymond Dekkers