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Democratic Republic of the Congo: Rapid growth opens new opportunities

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Rapid growth opens new opportunities is a Special Report prepared by The Washington Times International Advocacy Department.

Recent Stories

DRC President Joseph Kabila inaugurates the Avenue des Poids Lours, one of several infrastructure upgrades underway. (Photo: Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works, DRC)

After years of turmoil, a promising future

For observers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo there is rarely good news. Headlines always seem to indicate the country is aflame with violent conflict, fueled by ruthless parties who see the DRC as a place to grab what you can and make a fortune in the process.

Hundreds of endangered gorillas live in Virunga National Park. (Photo: Shutterstock)

DRC's national parks: Beautiful, rich with biodiversity

The splendor of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's natural resources can be experienced first-hand in its many national parks, wildlife refuges and endangered-species sanctuaries, including two of the largest national parks in the entire African continent.

A view of the Inga I dam, in the foreground is the Inga II canal. (Photo: AlainDG/CC-BY-SA-3.0)

A grand plan to electrify Congo and Africa

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has tremendous hydropower potential. It has been estimated that it could produce 100,000 MW of electricity, enough to meet all the current needs of Africa.

The mighty Congo: River of life and power

The Congo River runs 2,920 miles through the center of Africa, most of its massive flow winding through the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Joseph Kabila (right), President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, during the fourth meeting of the regional oversight mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region on Sept. 22, 2014 at the United Nations in New York City. (UN Photo/Amanda Voisard)

A fragile peace raises hope for Eastern Congo

There are signs of hope in Eastern Congo. This resource-rich region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has finally seen the fighting and mayhem recede and a fragile peace take hold.

Tourism infrastructure like this new hotel is a target sector for inbound investment. (Photo: Jean Tigana)

Diversification drive creates wide range of investment opportunities

The vast natural resources, considerable arable land and energy potential of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been attracting investors to the region since the colonial period, and continue to bring billions of investment dollars into the country every year.

Giant copper ore trucks in open pit mine (Photo: Shutterstock)

Resurgent mining sector leads economic growth

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has long been known for its wealth of natural resources. Wars have been fought over them, and to this day they are the reason for neighbors meddling in DRC affairs, and militias and criminal gangs looking for ways to get hold of them for financial benefit.

With investment, the DRC could be a major exporter of food and agriculture products. (Photos:Jean Tigana)

A potential agricultural powerhouse for Africa

With this rich natural endowment and a climate ideal for most agriculture, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has the potential to be an agricultural powerhouse for Africa.

The modest amount of oil currently extracted by the DRC is offshore in the Atlantic seabed. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Add black gold to DRC's list of natural riches

While the Democratic Republic of the Congo has long been known for its wide array of minerals and other natural resources, oil and gas have not been included in that long list. This is beginning to change and the DRC could join the growing club of major sub-Saharan oil producers, currently headed by Nigeria and Angola.

The new terminal at N'djili International Airport, Kinshasa, is expected to serve up to 1 million passengers a year. (Photo: Jean Tigana)

A lot safer but still an adventure

The name "Congo" conjures up images of rushing rivers, impenetrable forests, volcanos and fantastic wildlife, especially gorillas. Rightly so. They are all to be found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The roots and rhythms of the Congo

You may think you don't know anything about Congolese music. But if you've ever tapped your foot to the irresistible beat of the rumba, you've experienced a national tradition.