Country Profiles
Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is located in the Central Africa and it is bordered by Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia and Angola. Congo’s population is 82 million and its GDP is $37 Billion. Congo is a member state of the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, African Union, and COMESA.
Congo gained independence from Belgium in 1960 and current constitution was established in 2006. French is the official language, and there are 4 recognised national languages: Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili and Tshiluba. Its capital city is Kinshasa with 10 million population.
Congo’s main import and export partner is China. Congo has rich natural resources, including cobalt, copper and diamongs. crude petroleum and cocoa beans also play important role in Congo’s economy. Mineral and metal exports’ share in the economy is more than 80%.
The first Turkish Embassy in Kinshasa opened in 1974 and Congo opened its embassy in Ankara in 2011. Turkish exports to Congo increased significantly in the last 10 years from $9 Million to $27 Million. The exports are concentrated in the food sector, including chicken meat, pasta and yeast. Since Congo imports most of its food, companies in the food sector can focus on exporting to Congo.
Below, you can see the fact sheet, macroeconomic outlook and trade relations of Congo with Turkey.

Country at a glance
- Capital city
- Kinshasa
- Official language
- French
- Population
- 82 million
- GDP
- $37 billion
- GDP per capita
- $458
- Human Development Index
- 0.457
- Top 3 import partners
- China, S. Africa, Zambia
- Top 3 export partners
- China, Zambia, South Korea
- Top 3 import products
- Packaged Meds., Glass Bottles, Iron Structures
- Top 3 export products
- Refined Copper, Cobalt, Copper Ore
- Trade balance
- +$2.59B in net exports
Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report (2019). Figures as published, reflecting data to 2017.
Turkey's exports to this market
Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report. Figures as published.
2008
$9 million
Top 10 products account for 90.5% of the total.
| Product | Share of total |
|---|---|
| Cement | 33.6% |
| Yeast | 13.4% |
| Malt Extract | 12.3% |
| Poultry Meat | 8.4% |
| Iron Structures | 7.7% |
| Pasta | 5.5% |
| Baked Goods | 4% |
| Synthetic Filament Yarn Woven Fabric | 3% |
| Electric Heaters | 1.6% |
| Other Aluminium Products | 1.1% |
2017
$27 million
Top 10 products account for 77.2% of the total.
| Product | Share of total |
|---|---|
| Poultry Meat | 37.7% |
| Pasta | 15.1% |
| Yeast | 6.4% |
| Insulated Wire | 5.7% |
| Baked Goods | 2.9% |
| Sulphur | 2.2% |
| Pesticides | 2.1% |
| Enzymes | 2% |
| Chocolate | 1.8% |
| Stranded Aluminium Wire | 1.5% |
Frequently asked questions
- Democratic Republic of Congo: what does Turkey export there?
- In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $27 million. The ten largest product groups made up 77.2% of that total, led by Poultry Meat; Pasta; Yeast.
- Democratic Republic of Congo: who are its main trading partners?
- The three largest import partners are China, S. Africa, Zambia. The three largest export partners are China, Zambia, South Korea.
- Democratic Republic of Congo: what does the country import?
- The three largest import products are Packaged Meds.; Glass Bottles; Iron Structures. The three largest export products are Refined Copper; Cobalt; Copper Ore.
- Democratic Republic of Congo: how big is the economy?
- Population 82 million, GDP $37 billion, and $458 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.457.
- Democratic Republic of Congo: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?
- The trade balance is +$2.59B in net exports.
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Reviewed by Burak Unal, Director of African Markets



