Introduction: Congo, Democratic Republic of the Download PDF

The Republic of Congo gained its independence from Belgium in 1960, after having been a colony for 52 years. In its early years of political and social instability, Col. Joseph MOBUTU, later known as MOBUTU Sese Seko, seized power in a November1965 coup and changed the nation's name to Zaire. After 32 years in power, MOBUTU was overthrown by Laurent KABILA in May 1997 in a rebellion back by neighboring Rwanda and Uganda. KABILA change the Zaire's name to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Violence continued through KABILA's presidency beginning with a 1998 rebellion again supported by the Rwandan and Ugandan governments. In 2001 KABILA was assassinated and his son, Joseph KABILA, succeeded him as president. KABILA first efforts as president included negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the DRC in 2002 and setting up a transition  government structure in 2003. The 2006 elections placed KABILA in power for another term.
 

Capital City: Kinshasa (+1 GMT)  
Chief of State: President Joseph Kabila  
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito  
Currency: Congolese franc  
Main Cities: Bandundu, Bukavu, Goma  
Major Languages: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba  
Calling Code: 243  
Voltage: 220  
Primary Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 10%  

Main Airports

Kinshasa (N’Djili) (FIH)

U.S. Embassy

310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa
tel. 243-81-2255872

Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
$300 (2008 est.)
Inflation Rate
16.7% (2007 est.)
Population
68,692,542
Country Risk Ratings
D
Ease of Doing Business
181/181
Global Competitiveness
-/134

Statistics

Labor force:
23.53 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$6.1 billion (2007)
Exports - partners:
China 44.7%, Belgium 16.9%, Finland 10.5%, US 8.9%, Zambia 4.8% (2008)
Imports:
$5.2 billion (2007)
Imports - partners:
South Africa 22.1%, Belgium 11.5%, Zambia 8.3%, Zimbabwe 7%, Kenya 5.9%, China 5.6%, France 5.4% (2008)
Major Industries:
mining (diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, coltan zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair

Rankings

Corruption Perceptions Index
2 out of 180
 
The Corruptions Perception Index (CPI) is reported annually by Transparency International, an international civil society organization. The CPI ranks countries in terms of the degree to which corruption exists in the misuse of public power for private benefit among public officials and politicians. CPI is a composite index determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys. The highest ranked country is the country with the least amount of perceived corruption. Index units, 10=least corrupt, 0=most corrupt.

Data collected in 2006

Source: Transparency International

E-readiness Rankings
-
 
The E-readiness Ranking is reported yearly by the Economist Intelligence Unit, a research and advisory firm. The E-readiness Ranking evaluates the technological, economic, political and social assets of countries to assess the information and communications technology infrastructure, and the infrastructures benefits on the country's consumers, businesses and governments. The higher ranked countries have a better ability to leverage digital channels for communication, commerce, and government in order to further development.

Data collected in 2007

Source: EIU

Freedom of the Press
81 out of 191
 
The Freedom of the Press Survey is an annual report by The Freedom House, an organization that promotes and researches advocacy of freedom across countries. The Press Survey assesses the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in every country in the world. Ratings are determined by examining three broad categories: the legal environment in which media operate (0-30 points), political influences on reporting and access to information (0-40 points), and economic pressures on content and the dissemination of news (0-30 points). The highest ranked country has the greatest degree of press freedom. Index units, 1-30: Free, 31-60: Partly Free, 61-100: Not Free.

Data collected in 2006

Source: Freedom House

Global Services Location Index
-
 
The Global Services Location Index is published annually by A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm. The Global Services Location Index measures the viability of countries as a potential offshore destination for services, based on their financial attractiveness (0-4 points), people and skills availability (0-3 points), and business environment (0-3 points). The highest ranked country is the most attractive as a potential offshoring destination. Index units, 0=location does not provide offshore support, 10=location does provide offshore support.

Data collected in 2007

Source: A.T. Kearney

Index of Economic Freedom
-
 
The Index of Economic Freedom is reported annually by the Heritage Foundation, a research and educational institute. The Index of Economic Freedom analyzes a wide range of issues including trade barriers, corruption, government expenditures, property rights, and tax rates to generate an overall ranking of economic freedom. The highest ranked country is the country with the least number of restrictions and constraints on businesses.

Data collected in 2007

Source: Heritage Foundation

Inward FDI Potential Index
139 out of 140
 
The Inward FDI Potential Index is reported every three years by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, an organization that promotes the integration of developing countries into the world economy. The Inward FDI Potential Index uses several economic factors that are expected to affect an economy’s attractiveness to foreign investors. The higher ranked countries are more attractive to investors. Index units, 0=low scoring country, 1=high scoring country.

Data collected in 2006

Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 2006

Tax Misery & Reform Index
-
 
The Forbes Tax Misery Index is annually compiled by Forbes, an American publishing and media company. The Tax Misery Index reflects the sum of corporate income, personal income and wealth taxes plus employer social security, employee social security and VAT/sales taxes at the highest marginal rate in each locale. The highest ranked countries impose the harshest taxes while those at the bottom are the most tax friendly.

Data collected in 2007

Source: Forbes

The Globalization Index
-
 
The Globalization Index is compiled annually by A.T. Kearney and Foreign Policy. The Globalization Index ranks the major developed and developing countries in the world by analyzing key components of global integration, such as economic, personal, technological, and political integration. The highest ranked country is the most globalized.

Data collected in 2007

Source: Foreign Policy