Democratic Republic of the Congo: public finances

How much is the DR Congo's national debt?

DR Congo public debt was US$18,552.20 million on 30 June 2026, of which US$11,464.14 million was external and US$7,088.06 million domestic, according to the Direction Générale de la Dette Publique. That is less than 20% of GDP.

Debt was US$15,012.14 million, or 17.32% of GDP, at the end of 2025, according to the DGDP quarterly debt bulletin. The rise in 2026 includes a US$1.25 billion Eurobond issued on 9 April 2026. The DGDP says 68.61% of financing is on concessional terms, from multilateral and bilateral lenders. Domestic debt includes US$3,903.75 million of budget arrears.

Official sources: DGDP: Eurobond statement (PDF) · DGDP: quarterly debt bulletin, Q4 2025 (PDF) · DGDP

What is the DR Congo's budget deficit?

The DR Congo's treasury deficit was 5,297.8 billion Congolese francs in 2025, up from 2,555.7 billion in 2024, according to the Banque Centrale du Congo monetary policy report for 2025, based on Ministry of Finance data. The plan had allowed for 5,428.6 billion.

The central bank links the larger deficit to exceptional security spending. For 2026, its note of 2 October 2026 reports a cumulative deficit of 2,351.7 billion francs at the end of August, about 60% below the programmed level. These are cash figures from the state's treasury plan, which differ from budget-law amounts.

Official sources: BCC: Rapport sur la politique monétaire en 2025 (PDF) · BCC: Note de conjoncture économique au 02 octobre 2026 (PDF)

How much tax does the DR Congo collect?

DR Congo public revenue was 28,294.8 billion Congolese francs in 2025, 7.3% more than the 26,381.3 billion collected in 2024 and above the 27,401.2 billion planned, according to the Banque Centrale du Congo monetary policy report for 2025.

Direct and indirect taxes came in 7.1% above target, while customs and excise revenue fell 4.5% short. Tax revenue was 10.7% of GDP in 2022, according to the World Bank, low by international standards. Domestic taxes are collected by the Direction Générale des Impôts.

Official sources: BCC: Rapport sur la politique monétaire en 2025 (PDF) · World Bank: tax revenue, DR Congo · Direction Générale des Impôts

How much does the DR Congo government spend?

DR Congo government spending, including debt repayments, was 33,592.6 billion Congolese francs in 2025, 102.3% of the amount planned, according to the Banque Centrale du Congo monetary policy report for 2025.

Security spending was 8,599.1 billion francs, 145.8% of plan and more than double the 2024 amount. Salaries were 12,044.0 billion and capital spending 2,928.2 billion. Interest on debt was 662.5 billion. The figures are cash payments from the treasury plan, compiled from Ministry of Finance data.

Official sources: BCC: Rapport sur la politique monétaire en 2025 (PDF)

Has the DR Congo issued a Eurobond?

Yes. The DR Congo raised US$1.25 billion on the international market through a Eurobond issued on 9 April 2026, according to the Direction Générale de la Dette Publique.

The Eurobond made up 8.57% of debt financing instruments at 30 June 2026, while concessional loans from multilateral and bilateral lenders made up 68.61%. The DGDP states that the present value of external debt was 10% of GDP, against a threshold of 30%, and that of total public debt 10.5%, against 35%.

Official sources: DGDP: Eurobond statement (PDF)

What is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's debt to GDP ratio?

According to the IMF, general government gross debt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 20.4% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 112.0% of GDP in 2005 and the low 7.6% of GDP in 2012. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 53.0% of GDP; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 46th highest of 46. Of 185 countries with 2025 data, 170th highest.

Does the Democratic Republic of the Congo's government borrow more than it raises?

The IMF puts general government net lending or borrowing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at -2.4% of GDP in 2025, which is a deficit. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 3.9% of GDP; its low point was 2020, at -3.5% of GDP. It is 20th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is -3.0% of GDP. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 85th highest.

How much revenue does the Democratic Republic of the Congo's government raise?

The IMF puts general government revenue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 14.5% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 17.4% of GDP in 2014 and the low 8.9% of GDP in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 18.4% of GDP; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 36th highest of 47. Worldwide: 168th of 187.

How much does the Democratic Republic of the Congo's government spend?

According to the IMF, general government spending in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 16.9% of GDP in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 7.3% of GDP (2006) to 17.1% of GDP (2022). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 20.8% of GDP; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 37th highest of 46. Worldwide: 168th of 186.

What is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's tax to GDP ratio?

In 2022, central government tax revenue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 10.7% of GDP, according to the IMF. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 13.3% of GDP; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 19th highest of 24. Of 117 countries with 2022 data, 103rd highest.

How much does the Democratic Republic of the Congo spend on its military?

According to SIPRI, military spending in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 1.4% of GDP in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 1.3% of GDP, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 21st highest of 44. World rank, highest first: 88th of 149.