Democratic Republic of the Congo
POPULATION
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the second largest country in Africa, and located in the Great Lakes Region of Central Africa. Although years of civil war ended in 2003, the country continues to struggle with political and economic insecurity.
The country is often referred to by its acronym, the DRC, or called Congo (Kinshasa), with the capital added parenthetically, to distinguish it from the other Congo republic, which is officially called the Republic of the Congo and is often referred to as Congo (Brazzaville).
Rich in natural resources, the country’s mining sector is the biggest attraction for expats seeking employment in the DRC. Most expats moving to the DRC will find themselves in the capital, Kinshasa, or Lubumbashi, the capital of the southern copper-rich Katanga province. Aid work is another big sector attracting foreigners to the DRC, mostly to the volatile eastern provinces. The country’s main economic resource is its mineral deposits; mining produces almost nine-tenths of total exports.
DEMOGRAPHICS
The DRC is huge, about 4 times the size of France and twice the size of South Africa. The majority of the population is settled in the major Cities. Kinshasa and Lubumbashi are popular with Expat communities mainly due to the nature of Business and Industries situated around these capitals
There are 2 distinct Seasons, which are not the usual ‘Summer/Winter’ ones we know, but rather the Dry (colder) and Wet (hot and humid) Seasons. During the Dry Winter months (May – Sept) the environment becomes dull and grey. It is cold enough to wear cardigans and once you become acclimatized, you will even wear jackets, especially at night. In the Wet Summer months (Nov – April), it can become quite hot and one should expect torrential rains and spectacular thunder storms.
HOUSING
Accommodation
Hotels and guesthouses are available in all the major centres, but they are pricey. Water and electricity supply is erratic and can be major issues, so be sure that you rent a property with a strong generator and preferably a borehole.
Rental
- 3 bedroom house with basic furniture costs $4-6’000.00p/m.
- Upmarket furnished house can cost $7-10’000.00 per month.
- Estate agents charge 1 month rent payable by the tenant and additional levy or tax which is payable monthly.
- Usually 1 year rent is payable in advance but you can negotiate to pay 3-4 months up-front and thereafter make quarterly payments.
- Usually 2 months deposit is payable and be careful at the end of the lease to negotiate the return of deposit as this can be problematic.
- Cleaning staff, nannies, gardeners, drivers, etc earn on average between $200 and $300 USD/month and receive some meals and clothing from the employers. There are no agencies to supply skilled workers. Word of mouth is the best option or advertising on the bill boards in the local supermarkets.
PETS
Dogs can be bought on every street corner. Pedigree ones are scarce. It is easy to bring your pets into the DRC. They need to have all their injections at least one month before you come here and they do not have to go into quarantine at all. They might be examined by a vet upon arrival.
SCHOOLS
The French International, American International and Belgium School are most popular among the expats. Home school is an alternative option.
SECURITY
The DRC is a country emerging from a military conflict, with no particular safety issues except in the eastern part of the country where there are still some pockets of resistance. Generally, the Embassies will issue warnings if it is not safe to be on the streets. It is therefore important to notify your Embassy or Consulate when you arrive in town so that they can keep you up to date with these kinds of activities.
CURRENCY
- A dual currency system is operated with USD being the currency of choice. Local Currency is the Congolese (DRC) Franc.
- VISA or MasterCard Automatic teller machines dispensing USD are common in the city but not available outside the city limits. The preferred method of payment is cash, with limited credit card facilities.
- Be aware that the USD note need to be recently printed and in a pristine condition unlike the Franc’s!
HEALTH CARE
Malaria, Cholera, Bilharzia (and HIV Aids) is common. Mosquito repellent and nets should be sufficient, but if one does experience general flu / malarial symptoms, it is advisable to go to any of the local pharmacies (there are MANY!) and get a self-testing kit.
TRAVEL
Transport
None of the major centres are connected by road (yet). Although improvements are slowly made to the infrastructure of the Country with Chinese Companies building roads, the main focus is still/ currently on improving the road structure in the so-called “Copper Belt” (between Lubumbashi and Kolwezi on the DRC side and Lubumbashi and Solwezi/Ndola on Zambia side).
It is not advisable for Expats to travel outside of City boundaries without a local driver.
Driving
Driving in the DRC is on the RIGHT side of the road in the DRC. Local driving skills border on extremely dangerous! Expect road blocks if you travel outside the City parameters, so ALWAYS have copies of all the vehicle papers, Passport/visa, insurance, fire certificate, fire extinguisher and 2 triangles in your car. NEVER hand over originals. Huge potholes and speedbumps can be expected everywhere and all the time.
Fuel
500ppm sulphur Diesel (Mazut) and un-leaded 93 Petrol (Gasoline) are freely available but import shortages do occur.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: always wear a safety belt, even when you are a passenger in the back seat!!!!
IMMIGRATION IN THE DRC
Although figures are difficult to obtain and seem to be limited, the DRC remains a destination country for immigration. The country’s rich mining resources attract migrant workers from Africa and beyond. There is also considerable migration for commercial activities, from other African countries.
Similar to the laws of other African States, the DRC labor law promotes the hiring of nationals. Therefore, protective regulations towards national workforce have been laid down and expatriates are traded on a different basis than nationals with respect to hiring conditions, work cards, resident permits and payment of income tax. Furthermore, the percentage [of the total workforce] of foreign remunerated workers allowed in a company operating in the DRC is fixed by law and may not exceed 15%.
Ordinary visas
The Immigration system in the DRC does not provide for business visits but the immigration authorities will generally allow foreign nationals to enter the country with an ordinary visa and engage in some basic business activities. This visa is valid for stays of up to 6 months and can be single, double or multiple entry and can be extended. Should the expat be required to stay and conduct business related activities for longer than 1 month then he/she should apply for work authorisation.
There are two types of visas for work:
- Settlement visa for work (special category): This is applicable for work assignments for up to 180 days, which is obtained after arriving in the DRC on an ordinary visa.
- Visa for work: This is applicable for work assignments for more than 180 days and is valid for 2 years. This also serves as a residence permit. The foreign national must be placed on the Congolese payroll.
Key Facts
- Capital: Kinshasa
- Major towns and cities: Lubumbashi; Kolwezi; Mbuji-Mayi; Likasi; Kisanagani; Matadi; Goma; Bukavu; Beni; Fungurume; Kasumbalesa
- Official Language/s: French;
- National Language/s: Lingala; Swahili; Kikongo; Tshiluba
- Population is estimated at 69,360,118 (2014)
- Currency Franc Congolais, (CDF) (FC)
- Time zone: GMT+2:00 (Lubumbashi) GMT+1 (Kinshasa)
- Country code: +243 +area code+ contact number
- Popular sport: Football/soccer is by far the most popular sport in the DRC
- Economy: The country has a variety of mineral resources and nearly all foreign currency reserves and investment are derived from this sector.
Expat Tips When Traveling to the DRC
- Your passport is valid for 6 months with at least 3 blank pages in your passport?
- Yellow Fever Certificate with all required inoculations – Compulsory when travelling to the DRC
- Do you have your E-Ticket, Hotel voucher and Insurance Documents?
- Do you have a valid visa or work permit
- Are your vaccinations still valid?
- Medical Kit
- 6 Passport photos – For Work Permit and other applications
- Cell phone with international roaming for first few days
- At least $500 cash
- Make sure that you have contact details for somebody in the DRC written down, especially if you do not speak French/Swahili. You will need the address where you are going to reside, plus at least 2 contact numbers
- If you are coming on a Tourist/business visa to start with, make sure it is a MULTIPLE ENTRY one, because even for travel within the DRC you will need to show your passport and have multiple entry status.
- On arrival register with your relevant Consulate because they will keep you informed in case of local unrest
- Photography. Beware that Locals are offended by the taking of photographs of them. Government infrastructures are not allowed to be photographed.
- SIM cards and pay-as-you-go voucher venders are on each street corner. Be aware that Skype / Messaging systems / WhatsApp and the like are liable to be switched off during periods of unrest.
- The Post Office exists in name only, with independent courier services fulfilling the void.
- Electrical supply. For use of computer equipment, audio and other electrical equipment, the voltage is 220 volts at the wall socket with a 3 square-pin type plug
Key facts
- Capital: Kinshasa
- Major towns and cities: Lubumbashi; Kolwezi; Mbuji-Mayi; Likasi; Kisanagani; Matadi; Goma; Bukavu; Beni; Fungurume; Kasumbalesa
- Official Language/s: French;
- National Language/s: Lingala; Swahili; Kikongo; Tshiluba
- Population is estimated at 69,360,118 (2014)
- Currency Franc Congolais, (CDF) (FC)
- Time zone: GMT+2:00 (Lubumbashi) GMT+1 (Kinshasa)
- Country code: +243 +area code+ contact number
- Popular sport: Football/soccer is by far the most popular sport in the DRC
- Economy: The country has a variety of mineral resources and nearly all foreign currency reserves and investment are derived from this sector.
Expat Tips When Traveling to the DRC
- Your passport is valid for 6 months with at least 3 blank pages in your passport?
- Yellow Fever Certificate with all required inoculations – Compulsory when travelling to the DRC
- Do you have your E-Ticket, Hotel voucher and Insurance Documents?
- Do you have a valid visa or work permit
- Are your vaccinations still valid?
- Medical Kit
- 6 Passport photos – For Work Permit and other applications
- Cell phone with international roaming for first few days
- At least $500 cash
- Make sure that you have contact details for somebody in the DRC written down, especially if you do not speak French/Swahili. You will need the address where you are going to reside, plus at least 2 contact numbers
- If you are coming on a Tourist/business visa to start with, make sure it is a MULTIPLE ENTRY one, because even for travel within the DRC you will need to show your passport and have multiple entry status.
- On arrival register with your relevant Consulate because they will keep you informed in case of local unrest
- Photography. Beware that Locals are offended by the taking of photographs of them. Government infrastructures are not allowed to be photographed.
- SIM cards and pay-as-you-go voucher venders are on each street corner. Be aware that Skype / Messaging systems / WhatsApp and the like are liable to be switched off during periods of unrest.
- The Post Office exists in name only, with independent courier services fulfilling the void.
- Electrical supply. For use of computer equipment, audio and other electrical equipment, the voltage is 220 volts at the wall socket with a 3 square-pin type plug