As the second-largest country on the African continent, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is emerging as a stable and promising leader in Africa, with improved security, a growing economy, and a commitment to democratic governance. Since the signing of a peace accord in 2002 that ended years of civil conflict, the Congolese people have taken critical steps in forming a unified military, establishing new foundations for economic progress, and pursuing democratic aspirations guided by the 2005 Constitution.
Rich in both human and natural resources, the DRC has established policies that are generating strong economic growth as well as interest and engagement by international investors. Its entrepreneurial workforce has demonstrated both resilience and determination. To support this progress and future potential, the nation’s infrastructure is being rebuilt with new roads, schools, and hospitals under construction—both promoting employment and stimulating further commercial activity.
The DRC is known for its vast resources and diverse wildlife, including a large portion of the second largest tropical forest in the world, the Congo Basin. The country is home to 1,000 bird species, more than 400 fish species, 10,000 species of plants, and three of the world’s four great apes. Breathtaking protected habitats are located in the DRC, including Garamba National Park and Virunga National Park—the world’s oldest nature preserve of its kind. The DRC also possesses nearly 80 million hectares of arable land and more than 1,100 minerals and precious metals.
