Democratic Republic of Congo Forecasts 5.3% GDP Growth in 2025 Amid Mining Dependence
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is expected to sustain its economic growth momentum in 2025, according to the latest projections from the Central Bank of Congo.
In its economic outlook report released on August 22, the bank forecasts real GDP growth of 5.3% in 2025, following a stronger expansion of 6.5% in 2024.
Mining Sector Remains the Growth Engine
The performance will be largely driven by the extractive industries, where added value is expected to rise by 8.2% in 2025, compared to 12.2% in 2024.
This outlook is supported by favorable international prices for the DRC’s key mineral exports, including copper, cobalt, and gold.
Non-extractive sectors are projected to grow more moderately, with activity expected to rise by 3.6% in 2025, slightly higher than the 3.5% recorded in 2024.
The Central Bank noted that this divergence underscores the country’s strong reliance on mining revenues.
While mining continues to dominate the economy, authorities stressed the importance of strengthening agriculture, manufacturing, and services to reduce the DRC’s vulnerability to global commodity price swings. Diversification, they said, is essential to build resilience and ensure inclusive growth.
Despite favorable projections, the last week of August 2025 has been marked by falling prices for several of the DRC’s main exports, including copper—its top foreign exchange earner—alongside gold and tantalum.
Analysts warn that such volatility highlights the risks of overdependence on the mining sector.
About the Author
