China has become a major economic partner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since the early 2000s, cooperation between the two countries has intensified in mining, infrastructure, trade, and foreign direct investment. For the Ministry of External Trade, this partnership forms a key axis of DRC trade policy.
Foundations of the China – DRC Partnership
Economic cooperation, resources, and infrastructure
A Structuring Economic Cooperation
Sino-Congolese cooperation developed around several strategic sectors, including mining, infrastructure, trade, and investment.
The DRC benefits from infrastructure financing and investment, while China seeks access to strategic resources such as copper, cobalt, and lithium.
The landmark agreement nicknamed the 'Chinese contract', concluded in 2008, illustrates this approach: China promised infrastructure construction in exchange for access to certain mineral deposits. This model has sparked debate regarding the actual balance of the partnership.
Role of the Ministry of External Trade
Coordination and support of the commercial partnership
The Ministry of External Trade is central to economic coordination between the DRC and its foreign partners, including China. Its responsibilities include:
-
Negotiation of bilateral trade agreements, particularly with China.
-
Monitoring the implementation of commercial contracts and agreements.
-
Promotion of Congolese exports to China.
-
Ensuring compliance with international trade standards.
-
Collaborating with other line ministries — Mining, Infrastructure, Finance — to ensure national economic coherence.
The ministry also works to better balance the trade account, which is often in deficit in favor of China, by encouraging the diversification of Congolese exports.
Trade Statistics and Issues
Key characteristics of DRC — China trade
China accounts for more than 40% of Congolese exports, primarily consisting of minerals.
The DRC imports various manufactured goods from China, including machinery, electronic equipment, textiles, vehicles, and other goods.
China is also a major player in infrastructure financing, particularly through loans sometimes backed by mining collateral.
Challenges and Outlook
Key issues surrounding the commercial partnership
-
Mining dependency: DRC-China trade is dominated by raw materials.
-
Lack of transparency in certain contracts.
-
Low local processing of resources.
-
Protection of local industry, sometimes threatened by low-cost Chinese imports.
The Ministry of External Trade attempts to address these challenges through several directions:
-
Revision of existing agreements.
-
Promotion of local industrialization.
-
Development of special economic zones to attract new investment.
Commercial Cooperation: Changsha
The 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo
The 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, held in Changsha, Hunan Province, from June 12 to 16, 2025, served as a platform dedicated to economic development, industrial cooperation, and investment between China and African nations. The event aligns with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Historique de l’Exposition sino-africaine
Lancée en 2019 à Changsha, l’Exposition
sino-africaine est présentée dans le contenu
de référence comme une concrétisation des
« Huit actions majeures » annoncées par
le Président Xi Jinping.
Les trois premières éditions ont favorisé
la signature de plus de 200 accords économiques
et ont rassemblé des milliers d’experts et
d’entreprises de 53 pays africains.
L’édition 2023, marquée par le 10e anniversaire
de l’initiative « Ceinture et Route », a accueilli
plus de 94 000 m² d’expositions.
The 4th China-Africa Expo Edition
Changsha — June 2025
A New Window for Shared Development
Under the theme 'China and Africa: Together Towards Modernization', the 2025 China-Africa Expo brought together over 200,000 visitors in Changsha.
It culminated in the signing of 176 projects worth a total of USD 11.39 billion, according to reference reports.
Sectors and Business Meetings
The Expo highlighted agricultural, technological, and industrial innovations while fostering B2B meetings between African and Chinese business leaders.
The event was thus presented as a platform facilitating agreement signing and expertise exchange between the two continents.
DRC Participation
Congolese presence and economic opportunities
The Democratic Republic of the Congo was represented by a ministerial delegation led by Thérèse Kayikwamba Vagner, Grégoire Mutshail Mutomb, and Julien Paluku Kahongya.
The country highlighted its natural resources — minerals, forests, and water — as well as its potential in mining, forestry, and agriculture.
Forty-seven Congolese products were exhibited, including coffee, cocoa, soybeans, sesame, palm oil, and mineral products.
The Chinese province of Guangxi committed to modernizing OCC and ONAPAC, facilitating economic visas, and offering more technical scholarships to Congolese students.
The DRC in Changsha
Presence and Congolese products exhibited
Active DRC participation in this 4th edition of the China-Africa Expo served as a showcase to promote its natural wealth, economic potential, and development ambitions. It also forged ties with Chinese partners in agriculture, industrial processing, and certification services.
Partnerships and Projects
FICKIN, agricultural infrastructure, and OCC modernization
Modernization of FICKIN
Minister of External Trade Julien Paluku Kahongya concluded a partnership with the HCIG Group to modernize the Kinshasa International Fair (FICKIN).
Infrastructure and Agriculture
Commitments were also made to develop agricultural, road, and energy infrastructure in the country.
Modernization of OCC Laboratories
An agreement was also outlined with Hunan Sirim Huasheng to equip the OCC with modern laboratories adhering to international standards.
Symposium on the DRC
Economic stakes and outcomes
Promotion of Economic Opportunities
On June 14, a symposium was organized by the DRC Embassy in China with strategic Chinese companies. Ministers Grégoire Mutshail and Julien Paluku promoted DRC economic opportunities.
The Chinese government pledged an increase in investment and trade volume with the DRC.
Main Cooperation Prospects
Key pillars highlighted in the partnership
01
Transformation industrielle
Développer la transformation locale des
ressources et renforcer les capacités
industrielles de la RDC.
02
Agriculture
Promouvoir les investissements dans
l’agriculture et faciliter l’accès des
produits agricoles congolais aux marchés.
03
Certification et qualité
Renforcer les infrastructures de contrôle
et de certification afin d’améliorer
la compétitivité des produits congolais.
Pour plus de détails sur la 4e Exposition
économique et commerciale sino-africaine
à Changsha, consultez le document PDF
disponible ci-dessous.
Chine – RDC
Un partenariat stratégique pour le commerce extérieur
Le partenariat entre la Chine et la RDC occupe
une place importante dans le commerce extérieur
congolais. Le Ministère du Commerce extérieur
joue un rôle stratégique dans l’accompagnement
de cette coopération, la promotion des exportations,
le suivi des échanges et la défense des intérêts
économiques de la RDC.
La participation de la RDC à l’Exposition
économique et commerciale sino-africaine de
Changsha illustre également les possibilités
offertes par les plateformes de coopération
économique entre la Chine et les pays africains,
notamment dans les domaines de l’agriculture,
de l’industrie, des infrastructures et de la
certification.
