Industrial investment, professional training and major national projects are creating a stronger pathway to work for Congolese citizens.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo registered more than 1.8 million paid jobs in 2025, marking an important step in the country's drive to expand employment, improve working conditions and place Congolese citizens at the centre of national growth.
Employment and Labour Minister Ferdinand Massamba presented the result during the government's public accountability review. As 7sur7 reported, the minister said the employment agenda is focused on decent and sustainable work, stronger protection for employees and opportunities that allow more Congolese families to benefit from economic growth.
The 2025 result builds on a broader rise in employment. Figures presented by the minister show that the total number of jobs in the country increased from approximately 27.164 million in 2021 to 30.374 million in 2023—growth of more than 3.2 million positions over that period. Congo Market News also reported the 1.8 million paid-job milestone and the ministry's continuing programme to strengthen the labour market.
Better jobs and stronger protection for workers
The national employment drive is not focused only on increasing the number of jobs. It also aims to improve their quality.
Massamba identified enforcement of the Salaire minimum interprofessionnel garanti, commonly known as the SMIG, as a major priority. The ministry is also promoting permanent employment contracts and harmonized working conditions so that more Congolese workers can build stable careers and support their families with predictable incomes.
Inclusion is another important part of the programme. According to the employment review reported by Okapi News, people living with disabilities represented as much as 10% of recruits in some employment operations—above the cited legal quota of 5%.
This approach connects job creation with dignity. A paid position becomes even more valuable when it offers a fair wage, a dependable contract, worker protection and equal access for qualified citizens.
Congolese industry is already creating thousands of jobs
ECONOMIC REPORTS
DRC Records 1.8 Million Paid Jobs as New Opportunities Expand
Sep 8, 2026
Sep 8, 2026
7 min read
Published
Updated:
Industrial investment, professional training and major national projects are creating a stronger pathway to work for Congolese citizens.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo registered more than 1.8 million paid jobs in 2025, marking an important step in the country's drive to expand employment, improve working conditions and place Congolese citizens at the centre of national growth.
Employment and Labour Minister Ferdinand Massamba presented the result during the government's public accountability review. As 7sur7 reported, the minister said the employment agenda is focused on decent and sustainable work, stronger protection for employees and opportunities that allow more Congolese families to benefit from economic growth.
The 2025 result builds on a broader rise in employment. Figures presented by the minister show that the total number of jobs in the country increased from approximately 27.164 million in 2021 to 30.374 million in 2023—growth of more than 3.2 million positions over that period. Congo Market News also reported the 1.8 million paid-job milestone and the ministry's continuing programme to strengthen the labour market.
Better jobs and stronger protection for workers
The national employment drive is not focused only on increasing the number of jobs. It also aims to improve their quality.
Massamba identified enforcement of the Salaire minimum interprofessionnel garanti, commonly known as the SMIG, as a major priority. The ministry is also promoting permanent employment contracts and harmonized working conditions so that more Congolese workers can build stable careers and support their families with predictable incomes.
Inclusion is another important part of the programme. According to the employment review reported by Okapi News, people living with disabilities represented as much as 10% of recruits in some employment operations—above the cited legal quota of 5%.
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This approach connects job creation with dignity. A paid position becomes even more valuable when it offers a fair wage, a dependable contract, worker protection and equal access for qualified citizens.
Congolese industry is already creating thousands of jobs
The employment gains are being reinforced by the country's expanding industrial base.
Industrial units identified by the government have already generated approximately 30,000 jobs, according to a September industry review published by 7sur7. The report shows how local production, manufacturing and new investment are turning industrial policy into employment.
The Maluku Special Economic Zone now hosts 16 companies, with several already operating. One investor has reportedly committed $250 million to producing soft drinks and canned beverages for the Congolese market and export.
As Maluku continues to develop, the zone is expected to create nearly 10,000 direct jobs. Three hectares have also been reserved for vocational training, helping young Congolese acquire the practical skills required by the companies setting up production facilities.
Another employment centre is emerging at Kin-Malebo, where 25 companies in the process of establishing operations represent approximately $250 million in investment. These businesses could create as many as 5,000 direct jobs.
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Together, Maluku and Kin-Malebo could therefore add up to 15,000 direct employment opportunities, while also supporting suppliers, transporters, retailers and other businesses linked to industrial production.
One million young people targeted for job-ready skills
The DRC is also preparing its young population for the industries and infrastructure projects that will shape the country's future.
The $300 million DRC Skills for Economic Transformation project is expected to equip one million young people with employment-related skills over five years. According to the World Bank's official SET4Jobs factsheet, the programme will build skills connected to six priority sectors:
Energy and mining
Transport and logistics
Agriculture and agribusiness
Industry and manufacturing
Tourism
Digital technology
The programme is designed to provide certified training to 120,000 vulnerable young people who are not currently in employment, education or training. It will also support 8,000 young entrepreneurs and apprentices and finance 5,000 business plans, with half reserved for women-led ventures.
One of its flagship projects will be the Inga Academy of Excellence in Kongo Central. The academy and participating technical institutions are expected to build a national pipeline of skills for Inga 3, the Lobito Corridor, road projects and other large investments that need Congolese engineers, technicians, logistics specialists, digital workers and project managers.
The project became effective on September 1, 2026, placing these training, apprenticeship, scholarship and entrepreneurship opportunities among the most important upcoming employment pathways for Congolese youth.
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National projects are opening additional pathways to work
The country's development programme is creating opportunities beyond established industries.
Preparations for the second General Population and Housing Census have already generated temporary work for cartographers, trainers, geographic-information-system specialists and ICT assistants. Actualite.cd reported that recruitment is intended to mobilize thousands of local skills, including young people and women, as the country prepares for the general population count scheduled to begin in July 2027.
Future census phases are expected to require field personnel across the provinces, creating another channel through which Congolese citizens can contribute directly to national development. The resulting population data will also help the state plan schools, hospitals, roads, water systems and other investments more effectively.
At the same time, major projects such as Inga 3, the Lobito Corridor and the Transport and Connectivity Support Project are expected to expand demand for trained workers. The employment effect goes beyond construction: large infrastructure supports transport companies, local suppliers, maintenance services, hospitality, agriculture and commerce.
The World Bank has emphasized that stronger project execution can help public investment produce functioning infrastructure, attract private capital and ultimately create more and better jobs across the DRC.
A new employment chapter for the DRC
The registration of more than 1.8 million paid jobs in 2025 is part of a larger national movement: industrial zones are attracting companies, Congolese factories are creating employment, young people are gaining access to market-ready training, and major infrastructure programmes are building demand for local talent.
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