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Istanbul Africa Trade Company

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.

Four charts for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Population rises from about 47 million in 2000 to 81 million in 2017. GDP falls from about US$19 billion to US$7 billion early in the period, then climbs to about US$37 billion. Total exports and imports track each other between about US$3 and US$8 billion. Exports to Turkey spike to about US$200 million in 2014 before falling back near zero; imports from Turkey stay between about US$20 and US$40 million. Turkey's exports to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2008 and 2017: a pie chart splitting the ten largest product groups from all others, the total value of exports, and a table naming those ten products with each one's share. The same figures are listed as a table further down this page.
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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.

2008
ProductShare of total
Cement33.6%
Yeast13.4%
Malt Extract12.3%
Poultry Meat8.4%
Iron Structures7.7%
Pasta5.5%
Baked Goods4%
Synthetic Filament Yarn Woven Fabric3%
Electric Heaters1.6%
Other Aluminium Products1.1%

2017

$27 million

Top 10 products account for 77.2% of the total.

2017
ProductShare of total
Poultry Meat37.7%
Pasta15.1%
Yeast6.4%
Insulated Wire5.7%
Baked Goods2.9%
Sulphur2.2%
Pesticides2.1%
Enzymes2%
Chocolate1.8%
Stranded Aluminium Wire1.5%

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

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