Congo’s economy is growing, even with war on its doorstep. President Félix Tshisekedi's government has received praise from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for showing strong economic management in tough times. This is a big sign that Tshisekedi's progress toward a better Congo is real, not just talk.
From April 30 to May 13, an IMF team led by Calixte Ahokpossi visited Kinshasa to review Congo’s 3-year plan under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF).
Despite the intensifying conflict in the east, the Congolese economy has remained resilient,” said the IMF in a statement quoted by Actualite.cd
The report highlighted that:
Growth hit 6.5% in 2024, despite fighting in North and South Kivu.
Congo’s economy is still expected to grow over 5% in 2025, mainly due to mining exports.
The IMF and Kinshasa reached a staff-level agreement for the next review stage.
War and Progress: A Balancing Act
The ongoing war in eastern DRC has created budget pressures:
More money is being used for security operations
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May 18, 2025
May 15, 2026
3 min read
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Congo’s economy is growing, even with war on its doorstep. President Félix Tshisekedi's government has received praise from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for showing strong economic management in tough times. This is a big sign that Tshisekedi's progress toward a better Congo is real, not just talk.
From April 30 to May 13, an IMF team led by Calixte Ahokpossi visited Kinshasa to review Congo’s 3-year plan under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF).
Despite the intensifying conflict in the east, the Congolese economy has remained resilient,” said the IMF in a statement quoted by Actualite.cd
The report highlighted that:
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Growth hit 6.5% in 2024, despite fighting in North and South Kivu.
Congo’s economy is still expected to grow over 5% in 2025, mainly due to mining exports.
The IMF and Kinshasa reached a staff-level agreement for the next review stage.
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War and Progress: A Balancing Act
The ongoing war in eastern DRC has created budget pressures:
More money is being used for security operations
Some revenues have dropped due to the M23-occupied zones
Still, the government is pushing forward with reforms:
Cutting non-priority spending
Fighting tax fraud
Keeping social and investment programs alive
Making the mining sector more transparent
These steps are all part of a recalibrated economic program backed by the IMF.
This moment matters because for the first time in years, Congo’s economy is being taken seriously on the global stage. While critics focus on security failures, others see Tshisekedi’s steady economic reforms as building long-term strength.
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The IMF’s statement ended with a strong message:
The IMF welcomed the progress made and encouraged Kinshasa to intensify its efforts to preserve macroeconomic stability and strengthen resilience to crises, including climate-related ones.”
The deal still needs formal approval by the IMF’s Executive Board in June 2025. But if it goes through, Congo will continue getting funding and support to grow its economy while defending its people.
Tshisekedi isn’t perfect. But under his leadership, Congo has held economic growth during war, improved public finance, and stayed on track with global institutions. That's progress. And for a country long ignored and exploited, it’s a big deal.
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