Payroll in DR Congo

DR Congo is a vast nation in Central Africa (the world’s 11th largest) that is famous for being home to the Congo Basin, one of the world’s largest rainforests, and with that hugely diverse wildlife. Sadly, DR Congo is also known for armed conflict, dictatorships and civil strife that have dominated the nation since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960.

Beneath the grassy savanna or dense rainforest, DR Congo has some of the largest reserves of minerals and precious metals on earth, as well as extensive oil and gas reserves. Copper, cobalt and diamonds dominate DR Congo’s exports, making up over 90% of DR Congo’s economy.

Sadly, this exploitation of natural resources has also led to the exploitation of DR Congo’s population. The 92 million Congolese suffer some of the worst poverty on earth, and problems like corruption, low literacy and a lack of access to basics like clean water and healthcare are not helped by political instability and ongoing conflict between ethnic groups.

Much caution and understanding is needed for investing in DR Congo, with a lack of regulation and armed independent groups often controlling labour and even geographic areas. If these problems can be overcome, then the French-speaking Congolese workforce offers some extreme potential in terms of hiring.