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Sub Saharan Africa

Congo (Democratic Republic)

 Flag of Congo (Democratic Republic)

Map of Democratic Republic of Congo Last reviewed: 17 March 2008

Country information

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Trade and Investment with the UK

UK exports to DR Congo in 2004 amounted to £26.82 million.
UK imports from DR Congo in 2004 were valued at £9.7 million.

Development

DRC could be one of the wealthiest countries in Africa, with some of the most valuable and diverse natural resources in the world. But war and decades of misrule and mismanagement have devastated the economy leaving the physical and social infrastructure shattered. DRC ranks 167 out of 177 countries on the UN Human Development Report 2007. Most Congolese are desperately poor, living in extreme poverty on less than $1 a day. Human Rights abuses occur on a massive scale with extremely high levels of sexual violence against women and children. There are over 1 million internally displaced people in eastern DRC requiring humanitarian assistance.

However, with an end to civil war in 2003 and with successful democratic elections in 2006, the DRC now has an unprecedented opportunity to escape a cycle of conflict and suffering and realise its potential. The UK Government is committed to helping the people and government of DRC sustain peace and reduce poverty. In 2003 the Department for International Development (DFID) took the decision to establish a major bilateral development programme in DRC and in recent years DFID has increased its support to DRC significantly. In 2006 the UK was the largest bilateral donor to DRC's first democratic elections in 40 years and the UK is currently the second largest bilateral donor contributing around £70 million per year.

DFID has 3 strategic objectives in DRC:

  • building a capable and accountable state
  • delivering a peace dividend for poor people
  • reducing remaining violent conflict and its impact.

DFID has major programmes focused on a wide range of sectors in DRC including education, health, water and sanitation, roads, humanitarian assistance, natural resources, security sector reform and democracy and accountability. Across its work DFID focuses on providing immediate benefits and meeting emergency humanitarian needs, combined with major long-term development programmes to transform the future for the Congolese. Much of DFID's work is based in rural and war affected areas of DRC where poverty levels are higher. Its programmes are designed to make sure that vulnerable or marginalised groups, such as women and children or those living with HIV/AIDS, are not excluded.

United Nations Development Programme
World Bank
DFID Country Profile: Democratic Republic of Congo

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