Congo: Investing

FDI in Figures

In the recent years, the Republic of Congo has regularly been attracting Foreign Direct Investment into the land. However, the economic crisis has caused a significant fall in FDI influx in 2009, a situation which should only improve with the economic recovery.

Even though the country has adopted a new investment law (document in French) in order to attract foreign capital, political instability, inadequate and war-damaged infrastructures, high cost of labor and raw materials, as well as low productivity are factors that discourage foreign investors. The country's natural resources are its main strength.

Oil, timber and plywood are the main sectors that attract foreign investment. France, the United States and China are the major investor countries.

	Congo	Sub-Saharan Africa	الولايات المتحدة	Germany
Index of Investor Protection	3.3	4.4	8.3	5.0

Source: Doing Business

Note: The Greater the Index, the Higher the Level of Investor Protection.

Foreign Direct Investment	2008	2009	2010
FDI Inward Flow (million USD)	2,483	2,083	2,816
FDI Stock (million USD)	11,083.1	13,166.6	15,982.6
Performance Index*, Ranking on 141 Economies	3	3	-
Potential Index**, Ranking on 141 Economies	92	-	-
Number of Greenfield Investments***	-	3.0	-
FDI Inwards (in % of GFCF****)	65.9	9.6	-
FDI Stock (in % of GDP)	104.5	154.3	-

Source: UNCTAD - Last Available Data

Note: * The UNCTAD Inward FDI Performance Index is Based on a Ratio of the Country's Share in Global FDI Inflows and its Share in Global GDP. ** The UNCTAD Inward FDI Potential Index is Based on 12 Economic and Structural Variables Such as GDP, Foreign Trade, FDI, Infrastructures, Energy Use, R&D, Education, Country Risk. *** Green Field Investments Are a Form of Foreign Direct Investment Where a Parent Company Starts a New Venture in a Foreign Country By Constructing New Operational Facilities From the Ground Up. **** Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) Measures the Value of Additions to Fixed Assets Purchased By Business, Government and Households Less Disposals of Fixed Assets Sold Off or Scrapped.

Tax Rates

VAT: 18%
Company Tax: 0.36
Withholding Taxes: Dividends: 20%, Interests: 22%, Royalties: 20%.
Bilateral Agreement: Congo and Egypt are not bound by a Double Taxation Agreement.
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: 23%

Investment Opportunities

Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement: DgMarket, Tenders Worldwide
Tradeinvest Africa, Tenders in Africa
African Tenders
Setting Up a Company: Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Congo.
Useful Resources: Guide for investors
Economic Developments and Prospects in Congo - African Economic Outlook
Egyptian Embassy in Congo
Avenue Bayardelle No.7 bis, Centre ville
917 Brazzaville
Phone: (+242)810794
Fax: (+242)811533
Contact the Embassy via Email.

Any Comments About This Content? Report It to Us.

Learn more about Investing in Congo on Globaltrade.net, the Directory for International Trade Services.