Economy of the DRC
A resource-rich economy, and a growing partnership with Japan through development aid, trade, and investment.
Japan-DRC Development Cooperation
Japan provides Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the DRC focused on education, health, social services, environment, agriculture, and access to potable water. In July 2020, the DRC presented its Sustainable Development Goals report at the UN High-Level Political Forum, reflecting its ongoing engagement with the international development agenda.
One of the World's Richest Mineral Endowments
Iron Ore
Deposits at Banalia exceed 65% concentration; Katanga deposits range 54–66%.
Bauxite
Resources at Sumbi and Sanzala reach 48% Al content.
Phosphate
Approximately 115 million tonnes of reserves across multiple districts.
Cobalt & Copper
The DRC holds around 70% of the world's cobalt reserves, alongside major copper deposits.
Oil & Gas Potential
The DRC holds the second-largest crude oil reserves in Central and Southern Africa. Proven reserves total 180 million barrels, with estimates suggesting potential reserves exceeding 5 billion barrels.
Lake Kivu contains an estimated 60 billion cubic metres of dissolved methane, with approximately 250,000 cubic metres generated annually — a significant untapped energy resource.
Powering the Continent
The Congo River represents a renewable energy potential of 100,000 MW — around 37% of Africa's total potential. The Grand Inga project alone could generate up to 39,000 MW.
Since adopting an Industrial Policy Strategy in January 2020, the government has sought to diversify the economy, drawing on abundant labour, diverse raw materials, a domestic market of over 90 million consumers, and 80 million hectares of arable land.