Rhabdalestes yokai, new species, is described from the Léfini basin (Middle Congo River, Republic of Congo) and the Sangha basin (Middle Congo River, Central African Republic). It is distinguished from the other Rhabdalestes species by the following combination of characters: 5-7 outer row premaxillary teeth with 5 (exceptionally 3) cusps; 8 mandibular teeth with 5-7 cusps; a complete lateral line with 25-26 pored scales; 4 1/2 scales above the lateral line; 3 unbranched and 18-19 (exceptionally 17) branched anal-fin rays and 13-14 gill rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch.