República Democràtica del Congo: Visió econòmica i política
Amidst a challenging environment, the Congolese economy demonstrates resilience, albeit with a slight dip in growth anticipated for 2023 compared to initial forecasts. With heavy reliance on the mining sector and limited diversification, the DRC remains vulnerable to shifts in global commodity prices, leading to notable impacts on public finances during periods of price decline. Throughout 2023, public finances faced considerable strain, leading to a deterioration in the budget situation and an acceleration of inflation. The overall GDP growth was estimated at 6.7% in 2023 (from 8.9% one year earlier, IMF). Despite an anticipated slowdown in growth in 2024 due to the conflict in the eastern region of the country, economic expansion is expected to remain robust (4.7%, IMF), supported by the production and exports of copper and cobalt.
The moderate public deficit in 2023 saw a slight increase due to election and security expenditures, as well as lower revenues stemming from cobalt price declines and reduced taxes on windfall profits. These factors have impeded fiscal consolidation efforts outlined in the IMF's three-year USD 1.5 billion Extended Credit Facility, set to expire in mid-2024. The 2024 budget will prioritize spending by discontinuing fuel subsidies for the mining sector and settling arrears to suppliers, while election-related spending will cease. However, public sector salaries, notably for the army, and rising military and security expenses will continue to strain spending. Large mining revenues, buoyed by a mining price resurgence, are expected to help stabilize the deficit. Additionally, in January 2024, the country renegotiated a 2008 contract with China for copper and cobalt mine exploitation, increasing the initial promised amount from USD 3 billion to USD 7 billion. The surplus will be channeled into infrastructure projects, primarily roads, over the next two decades (Coface). The public debt-to-GDP ratio was estimated at 13.3% in 2023 by the IMF, with a downward trajectory expected over the forecast horizon (9.1% by 2025). In 2023, double-digit inflation surged due to elevated food prices and currency depreciation (estimated at 19.1% by the IMF). However, the weakening of the Congolese franc is expected to be less severe in 2024, partly due to the rebound in mineral prices, which will bolster reserves to over 2.5 months of imports and curb inflation. Additionally, the effects of monetary tightening, although partial, will influence prices following the Central Bank of Congo's significant increase in its key rate from 11% to 25% in October 2023.
The DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world, with around 62% of the population living in extreme poverty (World Bank, 2022). It is among the lowest-ranked in the human development index and violence is frequent, especially in the east of the country. According to the latest data from the World Bank, in 2022, the unemployment rate in the country stood at 4.5% - a slight decrease from the previous year, when that rate was 4.7%. However, among the employed share of the population, a high percentage of workers have informal jobs. The country’s GDP per capita was estimated at USD 1,337 in 2022 by the World Bank, one of the lowest in the world.
| Main Indicators | 2022 | 2023 (E) | 2024 (E) | 2025 (E) | 2026 (E) |
| GDP (billions USD) | 65.78 | 67.51 | 73.29 | 81.19 | 89.56 |
| GDP (Constant Prices, Annual % Change) | 8.9 | 6.7 | 4.7 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| GDP per Capita (USD) | 680 | 675 | 710 | 762 | 814 |
| General Government Gross Debt (in % of GDP) | 14.5 | 13.3 | 11.1 | 9.1 | 7.5 |
| Inflation Rate (%) | n/a | 19.1 | 10.6 | 7.1 | 7.0 |
| Current Account (billions USD) | -3.45 | -4.08 | -3.87 | -2.71 | -2.62 |
| Current Account (in % of GDP) | -5.3 | -6.0 | -5.3 | -3.3 | -2.9 |
Source: IMF – World Economic Outlook Database, October 2021
The agricultural sector represents 17.4% of GDP and employs 56% of the population (World Bank, latest data available). The vast majority of the population is engaged in agricultural activities for their subsistence and not for commercial purposes. Principal cash crops encompass coffee, palm oil, rubber, cotton, sugar, tea, and cocoa. There has been notable progress in cultivating cocoa and coffee for overseas trade. Additionally, food crops consist of cassava, plantains, maize, groundnuts, and rice.
The industrial sector contributes to 47.7% of GDP and employs 10% of the active population. The country is presented with vast natural resources, the mining sector playing a major role in the economy and being the main source of export earnings. The Katanga region is particularly rich in minerals, including copper, cobalt, zinc, cassiterite, manganese, coal, silver, cadmium, germanium (a fragile element used as a semiconductor), gold, palladium (a metallic element used as a catalyst and in alloys), uranium, and platinum. The DRC also has deposits of gas (methane) and diamonds. Manufacturing plays an important role in the country's economy, despite the lack of skilled labor and machinery, accounting for 17% of GDP (World Bank). According to the same source, mineral rents account for 28.8% of GDP, the highest ratio in the world.
The services sector contributes 32.1% of GDP and employs 34% of the working population. The banking system is dominated by foreign companies, but only a fraction of the Congolese have a bank account. It consists of the Central Bank of Congo (BCC) and 18 commercial banks, along with savings/credit cooperatives, microfinance institutions, financial transfer services, and one development bank named SOFIDE. Tourism is also underdeveloped due to the prevailing security problems in the country.
| Breakdown of Economic Activity By Sector | Agriculture | Industry | Services |
| Employment By Sector (in % of Total Employment) | 55.3 | 10.0 | 34.7 |
| Value Added (in % of GDP) | 17.4 | 48.6 | 31.5 |
| Value Added (Annual % Change) | 2.4 | 15.7 | 3.3 |
Source: World Bank, Latest Available Data. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
Find more information about your business sector on our service Market Reports.
Find out all the exchange rates daily on our service Currency Converter.
The Economic freedom index measure ten components of economic freedom, grouped into four broad categories or pillars of economic freedom: Rule of Law (property rights, freedom from corruption); Limited Government (fiscal freedom, government spending); Regulatory Efficiency (business freedom, labour freedom, monetary freedom); and Open Markets (trade freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom). Each of the freedoms within these four broad categories is individually scored on a scale of 0 to 100. A country’s overall economic freedom score is a simple average of its scores on the 10 individual freedoms.}}
Economic freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Index of Economic Freedom, Heritage Foundation
Vols fer algun comentari sobre aquest contingut? Escriu-nos.
© eexpand, Tots els drets reservats.
Actualitzacions: April 2024
