Congo: Economic and Political Overview
In this page: Economic Indicators | Foreign Trade in Figures | Sources of General Economic Information | Political Outline | COVID-19 Country Response
For the latest updates on the key economic responses from governments to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the IMF's policy tracking platform Policy Responses to COVID-19.
Heavily dependent on oil revenues, the Republic of Congo’s economy was already hurt by low oil prices when it was hit by the Covid-19 global pandemic. The country’s GDP contracted by -8.2% in 2020, and despite the nascent recovery, economic growth remained negative for the seventh consecutive year in 2021 (-0.2%) (IMF). According to IMF estimates, the recession should turn into a positive growth of 2.3% in 2022 and 3% in 2023, driven by higher oil prices, a rebound in oil production, a vaccine rollout, social spending, domestic arrears repayments, and expansion of non-oil sectors (IMF). Downside risks include a possible worsening of the pandemic, volatility in oil prices and production, natural disasters and slow reform implementation (IMF).
The Congolese economy is largely dominated by oil production, which accounts for 80% of exports and 60% of domestic revenues (Coface). This oil dependency makes the country vulnerable to shifts in commodity prices. Already in recession due the collapse of oil prices, the economy was further hit by the measures put in place to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. The recovery in oil prices allowed the -1.2% GDP budget deficit to switch back to a surplus of 1.5% GDP in 2021 (Coface). Budget surplus is expected to increase to 3.3% GDP in 2022 thanks to the authorities efforts to restore debt sustainability (Coface). Congo's public debt, which was already unsustainable before the pandemic, soared to an estimated 101.1% GDP in 2020 (IMF), threatening the stability of the whole financial system. The country started a process of debt restructuring with its creditors and is committed to fiscal prudence. According to IMF estimates, public debt decreased to 85.4% GDP in 2021, and is expected to further reduce to 76.9% GDP in 2022 and 73% GDP in 2023. Inflation staid stable at 2% in 2021, and is expected to remain close to the CEMAC criterion of 3% in 2022 (2.8%) and 2023 (3%) (IMF estimates). In January 2022, the IMF approved a 36-month arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility in an amount equivalent to about USD 455 million, to help the country maintain macroeconomic stability and support economic recovery. Reducing debt vulnerabilities, strengthening domestic revenue mobilization and public spending efficiency, and advancing wide-ranging structural reforms are the main priorities. The authorities are also committed to the National Development Plan 2022-26, which focuses on social and infrastructure spending. Lack of economic diversification is a major challenge for the country. While some progress has been made in translating its natural resources into economic growth, the country has not fully succeeded in leveraging them to achieve robust socio-economic outcomes.
Poverty rate is alarming, reaching 52.5% in 2020 according to the World Bank. The country ranked 149th in the world on the 2020 human development index, falling 11 places. Unemployment rate in Congo was estimated at around 10.3% in 2020 (World Bank).
| Main Indicators | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 (e) | 2022 (e) | 2023 (e) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP (billions USD) | 12.79 | 10.33 | 12.74 | 13.30 | 13.85 |
| GDP (Constant Prices, Annual % Change) | -0.4 | -8.2 | -0.2 | 2.3 | 3.0 |
| GDP per Capita (USD) | 2,800 | 2,206 | 2,656 | 2,704 | 2,747 |
| General Government Gross Debt (in % of GDP) | 81.7e | 101.1e | 85.4 | 76.9 | 73.0 |
| Inflation Rate (%) | 2.2 | 1.8e | 2.0 | 2.8 | 3.0 |
| Current Account (billions USD) | 0.05 | -0.01 | 1.55 | 0.84 | 0.17 |
| Current Account (in % of GDP) | 0.4 | -0.1 | 12.1 | 6.3 | 1.2 |
Source: IMF – World Economic Outlook Database , October 2021
Note: (e) Estimated Data
In Congo, agriculture contributes to 9.6% of GDP and employs 34% of the active population (World Bank, 2020), most of whom practice subsistence farming. Though it possesses many fertile lands, only a minor part of these lands is cultivated (less than 10%). As the sector fails to meet its domestic demand, Congo relies heavily on food imports. The latter accounts for about 80% of domestic food consumption. The main crops are cassava, plantains, bananas, peanuts, and palm oil.
The industrial sector contributes 31% of GDP and employs 21% of the workforce. The petroleum, timber, and mining sectors are the economy’s main drivers. The oil sector, in particular, is the country's major revenue earner, though Congo is too exposed to fluctuations in commodity prices. This sector is dominated by foreign companies, with the French giant TotalEnergies accounting for an estimated 70% of the country's total annual oil production. The country boasts significant hydrocarbon reserves, with an estimated 1.6 billion barrels of oil reserves and 90 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
The services sector accounts for 53.7% of Congo’s GDP, and employs 45% of the workforce. The sector is based mostly on support services for the oil sector. Tourism struggles mostly due to security issues and insufficient infrastructures. While it is extremely buoyant, Congo’s banking sector remains less dynamic compared to other countries in the region.
In 2020, the measures put in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic such as lockdown, border closures, curfews and closure of non-essential businesses impacted Congo's economic sectors, especially the service and industry sectors.
| Breakdown of Economic Activity By Sector | Agriculture | Industry | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment By Sector (in % of Total Employment) | 33.5 | 21.5 | 45.0 |
| Value Added (in % of GDP) | 9.0 | 40.0 | 38.8 |
| Value Added (Annual % Change) | -6.0 | -7.7 | -8.7 |
Source: World Bank - Latest available data.
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| Monetary Indicators | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFA Franc BEAC (XAF) - Average Annual Exchange Rate For 1 MUR | 16.68 | 16.88 | 16.38 | 16.50 | 14.63 |
Source: World Bank - Latest available data.
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The Economic freedom index measure ten components of economic freedom, grouped into four broad categories or pillars of economic freedom: Rule of Law (property rights, freedom from corruption); Limited Government (fiscal freedom, government spending); Regulatory Efficiency (business freedom, labour freedom, monetary freedom); and Open Markets (trade freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom). Each of the freedoms within these four broad categories is individually scored on a scale of 0 to 100. A country’s overall economic freedom score is a simple average of its scores on the 10 individual freedoms.
Economic freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Index of Economic Freedom, Heritage Foundation
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Congo’s foreign trade policy promotes a favorable social and economic environment aimed at fostering international trade, which represented 110% of GDP in 2020 (World Bank). Customs duty are harmonized by the Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC). They fluctuate between 5 and 30%. Congo is also a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). However, its integration is being delayed. Congo mainly exports crude oil and refined petroleum (75% of total exports), vessels (14%), raw timber (7%), machinery and refined copper. Its main import products are special-use vessels (14% of total imports), machinery (11%), meat, electrical equipment, cereals, vehicles, steel structures, food and medicinal products (International Trade Centre).
Congo's exports are mainly sent to China (63.8% of total exports), Spain (8.6%), Gabon (4.6%), the United States, India and Peru; while its main suppliers are China (18.7% of total imports), France (14.5%), Belgium (7.4%), the United States, Spain and Indonesia (International Trade Centre).
In 2020, WTO data showed that the country’s exports and imports of goods were valued at USD 3.34 billion and USD 1.87 billion respectively. Export of goods and services decreased by -8.5% compared to 2019, while imports decreased by -10.4%. Due to the COVID-9 pandemic, trade volume dropped significantly in 2020. Import compression and increased oil exports resulted in large trade surplus in 2021 but in 2022, the import bill is expected to rise faster than oil exports (Coface).
| Foreign Trade Indicators | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imports of Goods (million USD) | 4,951 | 3,745 | 3,486 | 2,242 | 1,866 |
| Exports of Goods (million USD) | 3,573 | 6,078 | 11,155 | 5,576 | 3,340 |
| Imports of Services (million USD) | n/a | 1,909 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exports of Services (million USD) | n/a | 187 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | -9.0 | -34.5 | 5.1 | 3.2 | -10.4 |
| Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 4.9 | 14.4 | 11.4 | 7.4 | -8.5 |
| Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 86.3 | 55.1 | 49.1 | 53.4 | 55.9 |
| Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 45.3 | 58.0 | 71.2 | 74.1 | 58.0 |
| Trade Balance (million USD) | -715 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) | -2,690 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 131.5 | 113.0 | 120.3 | 127.5 | 114.0 |
Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank , Latest Available Data
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The world rankings, published annually, measures violations of press freedom worldwide. It reflects the degree of freedom enjoyed by journalists, the media and digital citizens of each country and the means used by states to respect and uphold this freedom. Finally, a note and a position are assigned to each country. To compile this index, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) prepared a questionnaire incorporating the main criteria (44 in total) to assess the situation of press freedom in a given country. This questionnaire was sent to partner organisations,150 RWB correspondents, journalists, researchers, jurists and human rights activists. It includes every kind of direct attacks against journalists and digital citizens (murders, imprisonment, assault, threats, etc.) or against the media (censorship, confiscation, searches and harassment etc.).
Source: World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders
The Indicator of Political Freedom provides an annual evaluation of the state of freedom in a country as experienced by individuals. The survey measures freedom according to two broad categories: political rights and civil liberties. The ratings process is based on a checklist of 10 political rights questions (on Electoral Process, Political Pluralism and Participation, Functioning of Government) and 15 civil liberties questions (on Freedom of Expression, Belief, Associational and Organizational Rights, Rule of Law, Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights). Scores are awarded to each of these questions on a scale of 0 to 4, where a score of 0 represents the smallest degree and 4 the greatest degree of rights or liberties present. The total score awarded to the political rights and civil liberties checklist determines the political rights and civil liberties rating. Each rating of 1 through 7, with 1 representing the highest and 7 the lowest level of freedom, corresponds to a range of total scores.
Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House
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Latest Update: April 2022
