As Africa’s third large country, in size the equivalent of Western Europe, richly endowed with mineral and other natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or Congo (Kinshasa) has the potential to become one of the Continent’s most prosperous nations.

However, until peace and stability are restored and effective economic reforms introduced it seems destined to be little more than the renamed ravaged continuation of Mobutu’s Zaire.

In July and October 2006, the DRC held its first elections in 45 years- declared by the United Nations, who supervised this landmark event, as its largest and most complex task to date.

Although violence marred the proceedings there is hope that it might lead to greater stability in the long run.

Country Profile

The Democratic Republic of Congo- commonly referred to as Congo Kinshasa to prevent confusion with neighboring Republic of Congo or Congo Brazzaville- is Africa’s third largest country after Sudan and Algeria.

The entire Congo Basin is well watered and dense rainforests extend along the Congo River and its tributaries. The eastern border is fringed with mountains overlooking a series of lakes including Albert, Edward, Kivu and Tanganyika.

Roughly 80% of the country’s inhabitants speak Bantu languages, ranging from the predominant Kongo to the Mongo, the Tumba and Lulua. The remainder, concentrated along the northern border, belongs to the Adamawan Ubangian and Sudanic linguistic families.

Kiswahili is widely spoken in eastern parts of the country and in Shaba. More than 75% of the populations adhere to Christianity.

Business Activity

Agriculture

Coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava, bananas, root crops, corn, fruit, wood products.

Industries

Mining, mineral processing, consumer products, cement, diamonds.

Natural resources

Copper, cobalt, cadmium, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower potential, timber.

Exports

$1.6 billion (est. 2006): diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt, and crude oil.

Imports

$2.3 billion (est.2006): foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuel.

Major Trading Partners

Belgium, US, South Africa, France, Chile, Japan, China, Finland, Zambia, Kenya.

Source: Les de Villiens, Africa 2009, Ninth Edition (A publication of The Corporate Council on Africa and Business Books International)