Moving to Republic of the Congo: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

5,293,070

Population - note

Note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS

this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population Growth Rate

2.86%

Urban Population

63.700000

Population in Major Urban Areas

BRAZZAVILLE (capital) 1.611 million; Pointe-Noire 834,000

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Age Structure

41.530000

Median Age

17.100000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

40

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

11.03

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

5.49

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

44.7%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

44.7%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

19.8

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.8

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.030000

Ethnic Groups

Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3% Note: Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997 civil war

may be half that in 1998, following the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997

Nationality Noun

Congolese

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Literacy - total population

83.8%

Literacy - male

89.6%

Literacy - female

78.4%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.2%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

11.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

55.600000

Infant Mortality Rate

72.450000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

72.450000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

560

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.1

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

1.6

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

2.5%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

very high

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.7%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

95.700000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

19.600000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

11.8%

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Economic Overview

The Republic of the Congo’s economy is a mixture of subsistence farming, an industrial sector based largely on oil and support services, and government spending.

Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports.

Natural gas is increasingly being converted to electricity rather than being flared, greatly improving energy prospects.

New mining projects, particularly iron ore, which entered production in late 2013, may add as much as $1 billion to annual government revenue.

The Republic of the Congo is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and shares a common currency – the Central African Franc – with five other member states in the region.

The current administration faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty.

The drop in oil prices that began in 2014 has constrained government spending; lower oil prices forced the government to cut more than $1 billion in planned spending.

The fiscal deficit amounted to 11% of GDP in 2017.

The government’s inability to pay civil servant salaries has resulted in multiple rounds of strikes by many groups, including doctors, nurses, and teachers.

In the wake of a multi-year recession, the country reached out to the IMF in 2017 for a new program; the IMF noted that the country’s continued dependence on oil, unsustainable debt, and significant governance weakness are key impediments to the country’s economy.

In 2018, the country’s external debt level will approach 120% of GDP.

The IMF urged the government to renegotiate debts levels to sustainable levels before it agreed to a new macroeconomic adjustment package.

Industries

Petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,800.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

1.7%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$19,030,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$6,800.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

1.7%

GDP - official exchange rate

$8,834,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 50% Government
• consumption: 10.5% Investment in fixed
• capital: 48.7% Investment in
• inventories: 0.2% Exports of goods and
• services: 44.5% Imports of goods and
• services: -53.9%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

4.9%

GDP by Sector- Industry

69.8%

GDP by Sector- services

25.3%

Industrial Growth Rate

3.5%

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Inflation Rate

2.3%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

589.4

Currency Name and Code

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

14%

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Labor Force

1,807,000

Unemployment Rate

53%

Major Industries

Petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes

Agriculture Products

Cassava (manioc, tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products

Population Below Poverty Line

46.5%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

252,171

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

25%

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Annual Budget

$3,562,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

49.3%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-7.6%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

40.3%

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Full Country Name

Republic of the Congo

Country Name

Congo (Brazzaville)

Local - Long

Republique du Congo

Local - Short

Congo

Former Name

French Congo, Middle Congo, People's Republic of the Congo, Congo/Brazzaville

Etymology- history of name

Named for the Congo River, which makes up much of the country's eastern border

the river name derives from Kongo, a Bantu kingdom that occupied its mouth at the time of Portuguese discovery in the late 15th century and whose name stems from its people the Bakongo, meaning "hunters"

Independence

15 August 1960 (from France)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 15 August (1960)

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Government Type

Presidential republic

Constitution

• History: Several previous; latest approved by referendum 25 October 2015
• Amendments: Proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; passage of presidential proposals requires Supreme Court review followed by approval in a referendum; such proposals may also be submitted directly to Parliament, in which case passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote of both houses in joint session; proposals by Parliament require a three-fourths majority vote of both houses in joint session; constitutional articles including those affecting the country’s territory, republican form of government, and secularity of the state are not amendable

Legal System:

Mixed legal system of French civil law and customary law

Executive Branch:

• Chief of State: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997)
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Clement MOUAMBA (since 24 April 2016); note - a constitutional referendum held in 2015 approved the change of the head of government from the president to the prime minister (2019)
• Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
• Elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for 2 additional terms); election last held on 20 March 2016 (next to be held in 2021)
• Election results: Denis SASSOU-Nguesso reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (PCT) 60.4%, Guy Price Parfait KOLELAS (MCDDI) 15.1%, Jean-Marie MOKOKO (independent) 13.9%, Pascal Tsaty MABIALA (UPADS) 4.4%, other 6.2%

Legislative Branch:

• Description: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate (72 seats; members indirectly elected by regional councils by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms with one-half of membership renewed every 3 years) National Assembly (151 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 5-year terms)
• Elections:
• Senate - last held on 31 August 2017 for expiry of half the seats (next to be held in 2020)
• National Assembly - last held on 16 and 30 July 2017 (next to be held in July 2022)
• Election Results: - Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 46, independent 12, MAR 2, RDPS 2, UPADS 2, DRD 1, FP 1, MCDDI 1, PRL 1, Pulp 1, PUR 1, RC 1;
• composition - men 58, women 14, percent of women 19.4%
• National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 96, UPADS 8, MCDDI 4, other 23 (less than 4 seats) independent 20;
• Composition: men 134, women 17, percent of women 11.3%;
• Note: total Parliament percent of women 13.9%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Supreme Court judges elected by Parliament and serve until age 65; Constitutional Court members appointed by the president of the republic - 3 directly by the president and 6 nominated by Parliament; members appointed for renewable 9-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years
• Subordinate courts: Court of Audit and Budgetary Discipline; courts of appeal; regional and district courts; employment tribunals; juvenile courts

Regions or States:

12 departments (departments, singular - department); Bouenza, Brazzaville, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pointe-Noire, Pool, Sangha

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Action Movement for Renewal or MAR [Roland BOUITI-VIAUDO]
• Citizen's Rally or RC [Claude Alphonse NSILOU]
• Congolese Labour Party or PCT [Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO]
• Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Guy Price Parfait KOLELAS]
• Movement for Unity, Solidarity, and Work or MUST [Claudine MUNARI]
• Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Pascal Tsaty MABIALA]
• Party for the Unity of the Republic or PUR Patriotic Union for Democracy and Progress or UPDP [Auguste-Celestin GONGARD NKOUA]
• Prospects and Realities Club or CPR Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Bernard BATCHI]
• Rally of the Presidential Majority or RMP Republican and Liberal Party or PRL [Bonaventure MIZIDY]
• Union for the Republic or UR Union of Democratic Forces or UDF Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR many smaller parties

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• only: At least one parent must be a citizen of the Republic of the Congo Dual citizenship
• recognized: No Residency requirement for
• naturalization: 10 years

Capital Name

Brazzaville

Capital - geographic coordinate

4 15 S, 15 17 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• AfDB
• AU
• BDEAC
• CEMAC
• EITI (compliant country)
• FAO
• FZ
• G-77
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO (correspondent)
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• NAM
• OIF
• OPCW
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNHCR
• UNIDO
• UNITAR
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Todd P. HASKELL (since July 2017)
• Embassy: 70-83 Section D, Maya-Maya Boulevard, Brazzaville
• Mailing Address: B.P. 1015, Brazzaville
• Telephone: [242] 06 612-2000

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI (since 31 July 2001)
• Chancery: 1720 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
• Telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500
• FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860

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Geographic Location

Africa

Geographic Coordinates

1 00 S, 15 00 E

Total Area

132,046 Square Miles 342,000 Square Kilometers

Land Area

131,853 Square Miles 341,500 Square Kilometers

Water Area

193 Square Miles 500 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

3,420 Miles 5,504 Kilometers

Border Countries

Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km

Coastline

105 Miles 169 Kilometers

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Terrain

Coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin

Highest Point

903 Meters

Highest Point Location

Mount Berongou 903 m

Lowest Point Location

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

Petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower

Irrigated Land

8 Square Miles 20 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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Climate

The climate is tropical, with the rainy season lasting from October to April and the dry season from June to September.

Humidity is high during the rainy season, and temperatures can climb to 31°C.

Humidity and temperatures are lower during the dry season, ranging from 25°C to 28°C.

Terrain

Coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin

Location

Central Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon

Total Area

132,046 Square Miles 342,000 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km

Environment - Current Issues

• Air pollution from vehicle emissions
• water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage
• tap water is not potable
• deforestation

Environment - International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

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Exports

$4,777,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$3,447,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds

Major Imports

Capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs

Top Export Partners

China 42.1%, Italy 16.9%, US 4.9%, India 4.7%, Portugal 4.2%

Top Import Partners

China 20.3%, France 14.2%, South Korea 9.8%, US 4.9%, UK 4.4%, Italy 4.1%, India 4.1%

Export Partners

China 42.1%, Italy 16.9%, US 4.9%, India 4.7%, Portugal 4.2%

Import Partners

China 20.3%, France 14.2%, South Korea 9.8%, US 4.9%, UK 4.4%, Italy 4.1%, India 4.1%

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Country Description

The Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) is a developing nation in Central Africa.

The official language is French, and Lingala, Kikongo, and Kituba are also widely spoken.

The largest cities are the capital, Brazzaville, located on the Congo River, and Pointe Noire, on the Atlantic coast.

Parts of the capital and large areas in the south of the country were damaged during civil conflicts from 1997 to 1999.

The last rebel group signed a cease-fire accord with the government in March 2003.

Facilities for tourism are very limited.

Safety & Security

Although the Republic of the Congo is still recovering from its civil war, there have been no serious episodes of unrest or violence since the March 2003 peace accord.

Continued security awareness, however, remains a key consideration for all visitors.

You should avoid travel in the Pool region south of Brazzaville.

Although terrorism has not been a recent problem in the Republic of the Congo, the Ninjas (a former rebel group) reside in the Pool Region, especially in and around the village of Kinkala.

Although they do not specifically target U.S. citizens, they do routinely establish roadblocks and conduct highway robberies.

For this reason, the Embassy advises against travel by road between Brazzaville and Pointe Noire.

In the past, the passenger train connecting Brazzaville and Point Noire passed through this region and train passengers have been robbed; however, there has been a recent push by the government to improve the comfort and safety of the rail connection between Congo’s two largest cities.

For more on these developments, feel free to contact the Embassy as we will continue to monitor these improvements.

You should also pay close attention to events in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as unrest in Kinshasa can also affect Brazzaville.

In 2007, stray small arms fire originating in Kinshasa landed in Brazzaville.

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Crime

Several incidents of petty street crime against U.S. citizens have occurred recently and reports of violent crime in Brazzaville, although not specifically targeting U.S. citizens, are not uncommon.

Incidents of armed robberies, vehicle break-ins, mugging, and pick-pocketing have been reported near the ports, outside popular restaurants, as well as in the Congolese neighborhoods surrounding the city center in both Pointe Noire and Brazzaville.

U.S. citizens and many foreigners are perceived to be wealthy and should take precautions to avoid becoming victims of crime.

Criminals often target individuals based on their dress, actions and perceived vigilance.

The Embassy recommends that you do not travel alone, avoid poorly lit streets and unfamiliar areas, especially at night.

You should note that in cases of theft and robbery, legal recourse is limited; leave valuable items at home.

Pointe Noire shares similar concerns to Brazzaville with one exception; petty crime is often committed near Pointe Noire’s beaches.

The Embassy recommends that you stay on main beaches, secure valuables, and avoid all beaches completely at night, when crimes typically occur.

You should also use caution when swimming because of riptides.

The main areas of concern in Pointe Noire are the coastline (currents), beachside after hours, and market areas (another popular area for petty crime, which you should avoid after dark).

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in the Republic of the Congo, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.

It is important to carry some form of identification at all times.

Wallets should contain only a small amount of cash and be free of all credit cards.

You may be taken in for questioning if you are stopped by the police and are unable to produce an acceptable form of identification.

A common practice among policemen is to stop foreigners and accuse them of minor infractions (which may or may not be valid).

When this occurs, the police do not want to write a ticket, but rather request the person to pay a fine on the spot.

The U.S.

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Medical Facilities

• Outbreaks: Mosquito borne illnesses are a major problem throughout the country and prevention of bites and proper immunizations are important for all areas. Travelers should carry and use mosquito repellents containing DEET or picaridin and sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets if possible. A yellow fever outbreak in western portions of the country started in December 2012 leading to an immunization program for citizens. All visitors should have documentation of yellow fever vaccination within ten years. Chikungunya, another mosquito borne virus, appeared in June 2011. There is no immunization or treatment for this disease, which causes fever, headaches, and severe joint pain. Again, prevention of mosquito bites is most important. Hepatitis A and typhoid are very common in the Republic of the Congo; all travelers should be immunized. Because of an ongoing measles outbreak, you should be immunized (or have had measles). Rabies is not uncommon; travelers staying in rural settings, especially for long periods, should be immunized before arriving. Although currently controlled, polio outbreaks have occurred in recent years. Travelers should be immunized before arrival. Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is highly prevalent in cities and rural areas throughout the country in all seasons of the year. If you will be visiting the Republic of the Congo, you will need to discuss with your doctor the best ways for you to avoid getting sick with malaria. A combination of strategies should be taken to diminish the chance of developing malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses such as chikungunya and yellow
• fever: Taking a prescription antimalarial drug, Using insect repellent and wearing long pants and sleeves to prevent mosquito bites, and Sleeping in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms and/or using bed nets. All of the following antimalarial drugs are equal options for preventing malaria in the Republic of the
• Congo: Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone®), doxycycline, or mefloquine. Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial drug in the Republic of the Congo and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region. The CDC provides additional information on malaria protective measures. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in the Republic of the Congo, and for up to one year after returning home, you should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician you have traveled into a malarial area and what antimalarials you have been taking. African trypanosomiasis is transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly and is primarily found along the Congo River in the regions of Bouenza (including Loudima, Nkayi, and Madingou), Pool, Plateau (including Gambona), and Cuvette (including along the Likouala and Sangha rivers). Conventional insect repellents (DEET and permethrin) are ineffective against the tsetse fly. Wear light-colored, (not blue, which attracts tsetse flies) heavyweight clothing. Loiasis, a filarial infection transmitted by large tabanid flies (Deer or Mango Fly), is highly endemic in forested areas. Exposure of longer than just a week or two is generally required for infection. Daytime insect precautions are recommended. Onchocerciasis, another filarial infection which is transmitted by black flies, is highly endemic. Exposure of longer than just a week or two is generally required for infection. Daytime insect precautions are recommended, especially near the shores of rivers. Schistosomiasis is caused by a

Traffic Safety

While in the Republic of the Congo, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Traffic safety in general is hazardous due to high speeds, aggressive driving, poorly maintained vehicles, and general indifference toward the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

The information below concerning the Republic of the Congo is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Road conditions are generally poor and deteriorate significantly during the rainy season from November to May.

The National Highway 2, which links Brazzaville to Pointe Noire, is largely unpaved and often impassable in the rainy season.

Unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel are frequently unavailable in the major cities and especially in the more isolated regions of the country.

Maintenance of the few paved roads is limited.

Overland travel off the main roads requires a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Poorly-marked checkpoints, sometimes manned by undisciplined soldiers, exist in many areas of the countryside.

Bus travel is strongly discouraged.

While there are no officially registered taxi companies in Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire, taxis are required to have an operator permit.

Many taxi drivers are owner-operators.

In the past several years, there have not been any reported criminal incidents involving U.S. citizens using taxis in Brazzaville or Pointe Noire.

Hire only taxis painted in the government-authorized green and white color scheme in Brazzaville and blue and white color scheme in Pointe Noire.

Taxis are not metered, so fares should be negotiated before passengers embark.

Most taxi drivers will always round-up fares or not return change.

Emergency services are limited within Brazzaville and Pointe Noire and virtually non-existent elsewhere in the Republic of the Congo.

Please refer to the medical section above.

There are currently no Distracted Driving Laws in effect in the Republic of the Congo, but police may pull over drivers who talk or text while driving for not following safe driving procedures.

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Airports - total

27

Airports with Paved Runways

8

Railways

551 Miles 886 Kilometers

Roadways- total

10,743 Miles 17,289 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

537 Miles 864 Kilometers

Waterways

696 Miles 1,120 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Brazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire

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Pipelines: Gas

144 Miles 232 Kilometers

Pipelines: Liquid Petroleum Gas

2 Miles 4 Kilometers

Pipelines: Oil

610 Miles 982 Kilometers

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Telephones

24,300

Cell Phones

1,334,000

Internet Users

70,000

Internet Country Code

cg

Internet Hosts

42

Telephone System

• Assessment: The primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable with services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines are frequently out of order
• Domestic: Fixed-line infrastructure is inadequate providing less than 1 connection per 100 persons; in the absence of an adequate fixed-line infrastructure, mobile-cellular subscribership has surged to 90 per 100 persons
• International: Country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

471,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

449,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

400,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

930,000,000

Natural Gas Exports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

39,000,000

Natural Gas Reserves- Cubic Meters (cu m)

90,610,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

10,710

Oil Exports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

290,000

Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

267,100

Oil Reserves- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

1,600,000,000