Participation of the democratic republic of Congo in international trade, analysis of import-export statistics from 2016 to 2020

Abstract

We did an analysis of DRC exports and imports with the rest of the world. Due to the lack of data in recent years, our observations covered 4 years (2016-2019). In order to know the balance of the trade balance of the DRC, our main question was: «what is the contribution of the DRC in international trade? ». To answer this question, the data were collected on the basis of the documentation of the annual reports of the Central Bank of Congo. They were treated by the comparative method. The latter consisted of comparing the import and export statistics of the DRC, on the basis of tables and transforming the data collected into indices and rates of variations to facilitate understanding. The analyses showed that most of the DRC’s exports come from the primary sector (mining products, hydrocarbons, agricultural products). This primary sector generated 95% of export earnings. The DRC’s trade balance was negative in 2016 but improved in 2017 and even more in 2018, however it decreased significantly in 2019, among other things, because of the impact of Covid-19. The DRC was found to have a trade surplus. However, this trade surplus must guarantee a higher employment rate, an improved standard of living.

JEL Classification : F10

Paper type : Empirical research