Virunga National Park was created in 1925 as the first national park in Africa, originally to protect mountain gorillas.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the CongoMiddle Africa-3:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)French
National CurrencyCongolese Franc (CDF)
National Day(s)30 June (Independence Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalKinshasa
Economic CapitalKinshasa
Cultural CapitalKinshasa
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 10 – 13 h
Connecting flights
Primary AirportN’djili International Airport (FIH)
Primary PortPort of Matadi (river port)
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline37 km
Highest PointMount Stanley (Margherita Peak) (5,109 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverCongo River
ClimatePredominantly tropical; equatorial rainforest climate in the central basin
Border Countries
AngolaBurundiCentral African RepublicRepublic of the CongoRwandaSouth SudanTanzania (maritime boundary across Lake Tanganyika)UgandaZambia
9Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
Virunga National Park contains Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira, two of Africa’s most active volcanoes, which together account for about two-fifths of the continent’s recorded historic volcanic eruptions.
Salonga National Park is Africa’s largest tropical rainforest reserve and covers more than 3.3 million hectares.
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve protects about 5,000 of the estimated 30,000 okapi surviving in the wild.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park protects an important population of eastern lowland gorillas, a gorilla subspecies endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Congolese rumba, a musical and dance tradition shared with the Republic of the Congo, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo was the world’s leading producer of cobalt in 2024, accounting for an estimated 75% of global mine production.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo was also the world’s leading producer of tantalum in 2024, accounting for approximately 51% of global production.
About 67% of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is covered by forests, including approximately 100 million hectares of dense humid rainforest.
The Inga site has an estimated hydropower potential of around 42,000 megawatts, making it one of the world’s most significant potential hydropower locations.
Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in Kinshasa on 30 October 1974 in the famous “Rumble in the Jungle,” regaining the world heavyweight boxing title.
Bonobos are found naturally only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, making the country their only wild habitat in the world.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | Democratic Republic of the CongoUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Felix Tshisekedi
Since January 2019
H.E. Judith Suminwa Tuluka
Since June 2024
H.E. Therese Kayikwamba Wagner
Since June 2024
H.E. Doudou Roussel Fwamba Likunde
Since June 2024
H.E. Daniel Mukoko Samba
Since June 2024
H.E. Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita
Since June 2024
Political Summary
Political System
Semi-Presidential Republic
Ruling Party
Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS): Centre-left
Main Opposition Force(s)
Together for the Republic: Centre-rightCommitment to Citizenship and Development (ECIDE): Centre-leftFront for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN): Armed opposition
Next Presidential Election
Expected in 2028
Next Legislative Election
2028
Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
42Organizations
27Member
1Founding Member
3Partner, Observer or Participant
11Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Democratic Republic of the Congo | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations12 Oct 201016 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Anwar Othman Barout Al BaroudiUAE Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Marie Ndjeka OpomboAmbassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates0
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic Republic of the Congo Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Democratic Republic of the Congo | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Signed | Signed on 2 Feb 2026. |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 27 Apr 2019.Entered into force on 15 Jul 2020. |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 12 Oct 2021.Entered into force on 24 Jan 2023. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Signed | Signed on 7 Apr 2015.Ratified by the UAE under Federal Decree No. 95 of 2018. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Democratic Republic of the Congo | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanCabinet Member and Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign AffairsNov2025
- H.E. Shaikha Nasser Al NowaisSecretary-General-Elect of UN Tourism (2026–2029)Jul2025
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Jean-Pierre Bemba GomboDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transportation, Channels of Communications and Rural Development of the Democratic Republic of the CongoSep2026
- H.E. Felix TshisekediPresident of the Democratic Republic of the CongoApr2026
- H.E. Felix TshisekediPresident of the Democratic Republic of the CongoFeb2026
- H.E. Judith Suminwa TulukaPrime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the CongoJan2026
- H.E. Felix TshisekediPresident of the Democratic Republic of the CongoSep2024
- H.E. Felix TshisekediPresident of the Democratic Republic of the CongoDec2023
- H.E. Felix TshisekediPresident of the Democratic Republic of the CongoJan2023
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)11.1USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)13.0USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Congolese Companies in the UAE
Groupe RawjiBanking, FMCG manufacturing, FMCG distribution, cement, insurance, engineering, electrical, real estate, and logistics
Major UAE Companies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mubadala Investment Company-
DP WorldPorts and logistics
Masdar-
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Joint Business Council(s)-
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research