Democratic Republic of the Congo

Political relations

France has long worked to guarantee respect for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In 2003, it was framework nation for the EU’s Operation Artemis, under the authority of the United Nations Security Council. Between 2003 and 2006, it took part in the International Committee supporting transition in Democratic Republic of Congo. It has always supported initiatives furthering peace and stability, including the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, signed in Addis Ababa in 2013, and the Luanda Process. France shoulders responsible for proposing resolutions concerning the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the United Nations Security Council. The bilateral relationship is supported by special ties based on Francophonie.

The visit by the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May 2019 illustrated our desire to give new momentum to the partnership between our two countries, with a focus on several priorities: health, education, security, environmental protection and Francophonie. President Tshisekedi’s visit to Paris in November 2019 consolidated this new partnership and saw the signing of a debt relief and development contract for €65 million and the adoption of a bilateral roadmap for health (French contribution of €71 million).

The French President’s official visit to Kinshasa from 3 to 5 March 2023 opened up new prospects in terms of the economy (beginnings of a mining sector partnership) and culture (support for cultural and creative industries). It saw major announcements in the health field (creation of an international global Health platform) and in the humanitarian sector (support for the air bridge to Goma and a significant rise in French funding to €39 million in 2023).

The visit to Paris by the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 29 and 30 April 2024 helped to further deepen the partnership between the two countries, including in the defence field, and to support French investment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and was an opportunity to consider further cooperation in the sport and fashion sectors. During the visit, France renewed its support for the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and our country’s commitment to peace in the Great Lakes region.

In support of this new partnership, the AFD delivered €500 million in official development assistance for the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 2022 and 2025.

Economic relations

France traditionally has a bilateral trade surplus with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, although it is diminishing (€143 million in 2023). After falling for several years, France’s exports have been on an upward trend for five years and stood at €226 million in 2023. France’s imports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo have frown strongly in recent years and stood at €83 million in 2023, having doubled in a decade. French foreign direct investment stock in the Democratic Republic of the Congo stood at €198 million in 2022. The presence of French companies remains relatively limited (47 in 2021) but has risen strongly in recent years, with only around 10 a decade ago. It is concentrated in a few markets, but several French companies have a key role in their sectors (TotalEnergies, Orange, Castel, Accor, Canal+, etc.). France is not present in the mining exploration and production sector.