The Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded a trade surplus of nearly $10.6 billion with China between January and July 2026, and bilateral commerce exceeded $19.2 billion.
The figures were presented by Chinese Ambassador Zhao Bin in Kinshasa, during a press conference marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, 7sur7 reported on September 30.
Zhao said that the DRC remained China’s leading investment destination in Africa and one of its three largest trading partners on the continent, and added that the Chinese companies created over 120,000 direct jobs, paid over $4 billion in taxes, and supported over 250 local communities in 2025.
He added that Beijing wanted to expand cooperation beyond mining into agriculture, mineral processing, infrastructure, healthcare, vocational training, clean energy, information technology and education.
"As for Chinese mining companies, they invested $1.77 billion in infrastructure and nearly $100 million in community development, while maintaining a 90% local hiring and sourcing rate to drive balanced regional growth," the ambassador said.
The ambassador also encouraged the DRC to increase agricultural and processed-goods exports to China. He said Beijing had introduced zero tariffs from 1 May for products from 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China. The policy is intended to improve market access for products including coffee, cashews, dried peppers and selected fishery goods.
According to Zhao, Chinese imports from Africa reached about $28.90 billion during the first two months after the tariff measure was introduced, representing year-on-year growth of 23.5%.
The figures underline the growing importance of China to the Congolese economy, where exports remain heavily concentrated in copper, cobalt and other minerals. China accounts for about 70% of Congolese exports and 34% of imports, making it Kinshasa’s most significant commercial partner, according to Coface’s country assessment.
The United States’ 2026 investment-climate report on the DRC said Kinshasa was negotiating a $1 billion railway project to transport minerals through Tanzania, while also pursuing expanded mining cooperation with China. In March, DRC launched a technical and financial audit of the Sicomines program in March, covering mining operations, infrastructure spending and accumulated debt.
