Doing Business in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is home to extraordinary mineral wealth, from copper and coltan to gold and diamonds. Despite its natural resources, the DRC is often considered one of the most challenging business environments in the world.

Years of corruption, exploitation and mismanagement, as well as political and economic tensions and conflict, have left the country impoverished. That said, there are evident gaps in the market that foreign investors are keen to fill. Starting a business in the country is relatively easy, a hopeful sign for future investment and entrepreneurship.

The dominant sectors of the local economy are agriculture, fishing, mining, and forestry. Some manufacturing occurs, particularly of textiles, cement, and wood products. The main business centres are the capital, Kinshasa, and Lubumbashi, in the mining district of Katanga.

When considering doing business in the DRC, there are some key elements of business culture to bear in mind.

Fast facts

Business hours

Business hours are typically Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, with a two-hour lunch break taken some time between 12pm and 3pm.

Business language

French is the language of business in the DRC. Local languages, including Swahili, Lingala, Kikongo and Tshiluba, are also widely spoken, particularly in rural areas.

Greeting

A handshake is the usual greeting between business associates. It's not unusual for people to touch each other on the shoulder or arm while talking to those they are familiar with. When shaking someone's hand with their right hand, they may also hold their right forearm with their left hand.

Dress

Lightweight suits are best, given the warm climate. For formal meetings, smart business attire is best.

Gifts

A gift is acceptable when visiting an associate's home, but with the prevalence of bribery and corruption, expats should consider their gift-giving carefully.

Gender equality

The local culture is still traditional when it comes to gender roles. There are very few women in senior positions within the corporate sector.

Business culture in the DRC

Expats doing business in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will find the Congolese friendly and welcoming. They generally take pride in their work and are hardworking. Appearance is also important, and locals dress smartly but modestly.

Hierarchy

Status is a major part of Congolese culture, including in business. Elders and those in authority are respected. Likewise, business structures in the DRC are hierarchical. Although the team's ideas are typically welcomed, the final decisions are normally made from the top.

While this may be the case, expats working in the DRC have often cited a lack of transparency in the decision-making process, which can be frustrating and hinder potential business dealings.

Communication

The communication style may be direct, but direct eye contact is usually avoided. You should adopt a patient attitude when undertaking business. The decision-making process can be drawn out; it's not unusual to have meetings rescheduled or even cancelled at short notice.

French is the language of business in the Congo. To communicate effectively with Congolese associates, we recommend learning some French. The effort will likely be recognised. Other local languages, such as Lingala and Swahili, are also widely spoken, especially in more rural areas.

Corruption

Bribery and corruption are everyday realities and are frequently cited as the biggest constraints to doing business in the DRC. Although efforts to tackle the issue have made progress in recent years, corruption remains a real issue across all facets of business. If you're working and doing business in the country, you should tread carefully when negotiating and purchasing gifts or doing special favours.

Dos and don'ts of doing business in the DRC

• Do be punctual for meetings, even if Congolese associates are late themselves
• Don't be surprised if meetings are cancelled at short notice
• Do learn French to communicate with Congolese colleagues effectively. Otherwise, an interpreter may be required, especially for business meetings.
• Don't ask about someone's ethnicity or discuss the civil war. Politics should also be avoided as a conversation topic.