The DRC matters to the UK. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and will have 15% of the world’s poor by 2030. It has also suffered from decades of conflict. The Congo wars, which ended in 2003, cost 5 million lives and drew in 8 other countries. Violence and insecurity continue to displace over 4.5 million * Results less than 1 million are rounded to the nearest thousand. Results over 1 million are rounded to the nearest hundred thousand. people from their homes – the highest number in Africa. DRC is prone to large public health emergencies, including seven Ebola outbreaks since the 1970s, a large yellow fever outbreak last year and ongoing cholera epidemics. At the same time DRC has enormous potential for growth, trade and investment. It has enough fertile land to feed a billion people. Its forests are second in size only to the Amazon. Its hydroelectric energy resources could power most of Africa. It has an estimated $24 trillion of mineral wealth. Unlocking this potential will have huge benefits for the Congolese people and the region as well as increase commercial opportunities for UK businesses.

FCDO Profile