Learn about barriers to market entry and local requirements, i.e., things to be aware of when entering the market for this country.
Last Published: 7/17/2017

The Republic of Congo ranks 177 out of 190 in the World Bank’s 2016 Ease of Doing Business Index.  This ranking highlights the numerous challenges that exist in the way business is conducted in Congo, including corruption, poor infrastructure, a weak judicial system, and an inadequately trained workforce.

The absence of a true middle class, lack of western-standard health care, and a tight housing market may make the market less attractive to certain businesses.

Transportation of goods can be a challenge.  Rail and road linkages between the commercial center of Pointe-Noire and the capital city of Brazzaville are substandard and do not connect with Kinshasa, the capital of the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), located just across the Congo River from Brazzaville. Two new roads connect Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville, but both main roads run through the Pool region and there have been periodic reports of violent attacks against commercial vehicles, civilians, and military personnel. A railroad connecting Brazzaville and Pointe Noire ceased operations in November 2016 after an attack by armed militants destroyed two rail bridges along the route, with no known date for when the railroad will be operational again.  The speedboat connection between Brazzaville and Kinshasa takes about ten minutes excluding time spent on port formalities on either side. Interior linkages are also a challenge.
  

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More Information

Congo Brazzaville Trade Development and Promotion