Democratic Republic of the Congo: economy

What is the GDP growth rate of the DR Congo?

The DR Congo's real GDP is projected to grow 5.4% in 2026, after 5.7% in 2025, according to the Banque Centrale du Congo Monetary Policy Committee statement of 8 October 2026. The bank's monetary policy report for 2025 puts 2025 growth at 5.8%, down from 6.1% in 2024.

The two 2025 figures differ slightly because estimates are revised as data come in. The World Bank also puts 2025 growth at 5.8%. The central bank says 2025 growth was led mainly by services, and notes a rising contribution from non-mining sectors. GDP per person was about US$807 in 2025, according to the World Bank, among the lowest in the world.

Official sources: BCC: Communiqué du Comité de Politique Monétaire, 8 octobre 2026 (PDF) · BCC: Rapport sur la politique monétaire en 2025 (PDF) · World Bank: GDP growth, DR Congo · World Bank: GDP per capita, DR Congo

What is the inflation rate in the DR Congo?

Consumer prices in the DR Congo were 3.678% higher in the first week of October 2026 than a year earlier, according to Institut National de la Statistique data published by the Banque Centrale du Congo. Prices had risen 7.391% since the start of 2026.

The annual rate is low partly because prices fell sharply in October 2025, when the franc strengthened. The central bank's note of 2 October 2026 expects the annual rate to rise towards 8.8% to 9.0% by the end of October as that fall drops out of the comparison, and its Monetary Policy Committee forecasts 8.90% for the end of 2026. Inflation was 2.27% in 2025 and 11.69% in 2024. The central bank's medium-term target is 7.0%.

Official sources: BCC: inflation statistics · BCC: Note de conjoncture économique au 02 octobre 2026 (PDF) · BCC: Communiqué du Comité de Politique Monétaire, 8 octobre 2026 (PDF)

What is the central bank rate in the DR Congo?

The Banque Centrale du Congo policy rate is 12.5%, held unchanged at the Monetary Policy Committee meeting of 8 October 2026, according to the committee statement. The marginal lending facility rate is 16.5%.

The committee cut the rate by one percentage point, from 13.5%, on 17 July 2026, according to the bank's note of 2 October 2026. Reserve requirements stay at 10.5% for demand deposits in Congolese francs and 11.5% for demand deposits in foreign currency. The bank publishes current rates on its interest rates page. The next committee meeting is set for 12 January 2027 in Kinshasa.

Official sources: BCC: Communiqué du Comité de Politique Monétaire, 8 octobre 2026 (PDF) · BCC: Note de conjoncture économique au 02 octobre 2026 (PDF) · BCC: interest rates

What is the Congolese franc to dollar exchange rate?

The Banque Centrale du Congo's indicative rate on 15 October 2026 was 2,268.27 Congolese francs per US dollar, according to its exchange rate page. On 30 September 2026 the rate was 2,267.80 francs on the interbank market and 2,325.56 on the parallel market, according to the Monetary Policy Committee statement.

The indicative rate is a reference, not the rate at a bank counter or money changer. The franc rose 30.4% against the dollar on the interbank market in 2025, after falling 6.2% in 2024, according to the bank's 2025 monetary policy report. The bank expects about 2,270 francs per dollar at the end of 2026.

Official sources: BCC: exchange rates · BCC: Communiqué du Comité de Politique Monétaire, 8 octobre 2026 (PDF) · BCC: Rapport sur la politique monétaire en 2025 (PDF)

What does the DR Congo export?

The DR Congo exported US$35,872.8 million of goods in 2025, 2.7% more than in 2024, while goods imports rose 7.1% to US$32,874.0 million, according to the Banque Centrale du Congo monetary policy report for 2025. Ores and metals made up 76.5% of merchandise exports in 2024, according to the World Bank.

Copper and cobalt are the main exports. The central bank's note of 2 October 2026 says the copper price has risen 13.8% since the end of 2025, supporting export earnings, while the cobalt price has fallen 25.0%. Export volumes of cobalt were also affected by temporary export restrictions and quotas in 2025.

Official sources: BCC: Rapport sur la politique monétaire en 2025 (PDF) · World Bank: ores and metals exports, DR Congo · BCC: Note de conjoncture économique au 02 octobre 2026 (PDF)

How large are the DR Congo's foreign reserves?

The DR Congo's international reserves were US$7.8 billion on 29 September 2026, equal to 2.96 months of imports of goods and services, according to the Banque Centrale du Congo Monetary Policy Committee statement of 8 October 2026.

Reserves were US$7,886.6 million at the end of 2025, 28.6% more than a year earlier, according to the bank's 2025 monetary policy report. Its note of 2 October 2026 gives US$7,654.8 million, covering 2.92 months of imports. Import cover shows how long reserves could pay for imports if no other foreign currency came in; three months is a common benchmark.

Official sources: BCC: Communiqué du Comité de Politique Monétaire, 8 octobre 2026 (PDF) · BCC: Rapport sur la politique monétaire en 2025 (PDF) · BCC: Note de conjoncture économique au 02 octobre 2026 (PDF)

Is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's economy growing?

According to the World Bank, real GDP growth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 5.8% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 17.5%; its low point was 2011, at -0.4%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 4.6%; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 17th highest of 46. Of 180 countries with 2025 data, 36th highest.

How rich is the Democratic Republic of the Congo per person?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $807. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $1,351; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 39th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 173rd of 180.

What is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's GDP per person adjusted for prices?

The World Bank puts GDP per person at purchasing power parity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at $1,920 in international dollars in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $4,425 in international dollars, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 41st highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 174th of 179.

How big are the Democratic Republic of the Congo's exports?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 43.4% of GDP. The peak was 45.7% of GDP in 2024 and the low 20.3% of GDP in 2006. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 26.1% of GDP, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 8th highest of 38. World rank, highest first: 47th of 133.

What is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's current account balance?

-4.3% of GDP: that is the current account balance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 2025, according to the IMF (a deficit). Since 2005 it has ranged from -9.0% of GDP (2010) to 2.9% of GDP (2007). It is 11th highest of 20 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is -3.6% of GDP. Of 132 countries with 2025 data, 100th highest.

How much foreign investment does the Democratic Republic of the Congo receive?

In 2025, net inflows of foreign direct investment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 2.1% of GDP, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from -1.3% of GDP (2009) to 11.3% of GDP (2010). It is 22nd highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.0% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 89th of 179.

What interest rate do banks charge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

24.1%: that is the average bank lending rate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 2025, according to the IMF. The peak was 65.4% in 2009 and the low 18.7% in 2014. It is 3rd highest of 16 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 17.6%. Of 73 countries with 2025 data, 5th highest.