Republic of the Congo - CG - COG - CGO - Africa

chief of mission: Ambassador Eugene S. YOUNG (since 30 March 2022)

embassy: 70-83 Section D, Boulevard Denis Sassou N'Guesso, Brazzaville

mailing address: 2090 Brazzaville Place, Washington DC 20521-2090

telephone: [242] 06 612-2000, [242] 05 387-9700

email address and website:
BrazzavilleACS@state.gov

https://cg.usembassy.gov/

0-14 years: 37.8% (male 1,162,298/female 1,143,668)

15-64 years: 57.8% (male 1,770,337/female 1,756,925)

65 years and over: 4.3% (2024 est.) (male 113,338/female 151,099)

1 00 S, 15 00 E

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

seasonal flooding

slightly smaller than Montana; about twice the size of Florida

18-25 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; conscription ended in 1969 (2024)

Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. From 1968 to 1992, the country was named the People’s Republic of the Congo.  A quarter-century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990, and a democratically elected government took office in 1992, at which time the country reverted to "the Republic of the Congo" name.  A two-year civil war that ended in 1999 restored to power former President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, who had ruled from 1979 to 1992. A new constitution adopted three years later provided for a multi-party system and a seven-year presidential term, and the next elections retained SASSOU-Nguesso. After a year of renewed fighting, SASSOU-Nguesso and southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in 2003. SASSOU-Nguesso was reelected in 2009 and, after passing a constitutional referendum allowing him to run for additional terms, was reelected again in 2016 and 2021. The Republic of the Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers.

air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation; wildlife protection

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

2% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
2.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
3.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.3% of GDP (2019 est.)

crude petroleum, refined copper, gold, wood, refined petroleum (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

China 46%, UAE 23%, India 6%, Saudi Arabia 5%, Portugal 3% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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

cassava, sugarcane, oil palm fruit, bananas, plantains, root vegetables, game meat, vegetables, mangoes/guavas, fruits (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army, Navy, Congolese Air Force, National Gendarmerie

Ministry of Interior: National Police (2025)

note: the National Gendarmerie (GN) is a paramilitary force with domestic law enforcement and security responsibilities; it is under the Ministry of Defense, but also reports to the Ministry of Interior; the GN nominally includes the Republican Guard (GR), which is responsible for presidential security and has a separate command structure

revenues: $2.393 billion (2020 est.)

expenditures: $2.409 billion (2020 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

name: Brazzaville

geographic coordinates: 4 15 S, 15 17 E

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

etymology: named after the Italian-born French explorer and humanitarian, Pierre Savorgnan de BRAZZA (1852-1905), who founded the town in 1883

ships, poultry, garments, iron pipes, refined petroleum (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator

169 km

history: several previous; latest approved by referendum 25 October 2015

amendment process: 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 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

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
606.57 (2023 est.)
623.76 (2022 est.)
554.531 (2021 est.)
575.586 (2020 est.)
585.911 (2019 est.)

chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 1997)

head of government: Prime Minister Anatole Collinet MAKOSSO (since 12 May 2021)

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 21 March 2021 (next to be held on 21 March 2026)

election results:
2021: Denis SASSOU-Nguesso reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (PCT) 88.4%, Guy Price Parfait KOLELAS (MCDDI) 8.0%, other 3.6%

2016: 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%

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; green symbolizes agriculture and forests, yellow the friendship and nobility of the people, red is unexplained but has been associated with the struggle for independence

note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

15 August 1960 (from France)

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

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)

judge selection and term of 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

note: a High Court of Justice, outside the judicial authority, tries cases involving treason by the President of the Republic

total: 5,554 km

border countries (5): Angola 231 km; Cameroon 494 km; Central African Republic 487 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,775 km; Gabon 2,567 km

agricultural land: 31.3% (2022 est.)

arable land: 1.6% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0.4% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 29.3% (2022 est.)

forest: 64.2% (2022 est.)

other: 4.5% (2022 est.)

mixed legal system of French civil law and customary law

legislature name: Parliament (Parlement)

legislative structure: bicameral

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 80.6%

male: 85.9%

female: 75.4% (2021)

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

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), LCBC (observer), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence Day, 15 August (1960)

noun: Congolese (singular and plural)

adjective: Congolese or Congo

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

about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them

primarily an oil- and natural resources-based economy; recovery from mid-2010s oil devaluation has been slow and curtailed by COVID-19; extreme poverty increasing, particularly in southern rural regions; attempting to implement recommended CEMAC reforms; increasing likelihood of debt default

Alliance of the Presidential Majority or AMP
Action Movement for Renewal or MAR 
Citizen's Rally or RC 
Congolese Labour Party or PCT 
Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI 
Congo on the Move or LCEM 
Movement for Unity, Solidarity, and Work or MUST 
Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS 
Club 2002-Party for the Unity and the Republic or Club 2002 
Patriotic Union for Democracy and Progress or UPDP 
Perspectives and Realities Club or CPR 
Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS 
Republican and Liberal Party or PRL 
Union of Democratic Forces or UDF 
Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR
Union of Humanist Democrats or UDH-YUKI 
Union for the Republic or UR 

total: 510 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 510 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

18 years of age; universal

general assessment: suffering from economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty; primary network consists of broadband through fiber link to the West Africa Cable System; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Dolisie; intercity lines frequently out of order; youth are seeking the Internet more than their parents and often gain access through cyber cafes; only the most affluent have Internet access in their homes; fiber network project with aims to connect north and south regions; DRC operator added fiber link between Brazzaville and Kinshasa (2024)

domestic: fixed-line infrastructure inadequate, providing less than 1 fixed-line connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular 97 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 242; WACS submarine cables to Europe and Western and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin

presidential republic

conventional long form: Republic of the Congo

conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville)

local long form: République du Congo

local short form: Congo

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

etymology: named for the Congo River, which makes up much of the country's eastern border; the river name derives from Kongo, a Bantu kingdom in the area

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

Africa

20 sq km (2012)

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

email address and website:
info@ambacongo-us.org

http://www.ambacongo-us.org/en-us/home.aspx

percent of population: 36% (2022 est.)

.cg

refugees (country of origin): 33,593 (Central African Republic), 29,785 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2024)

IDPs: 27,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992) (2022)

$15.321 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore the Republic of the Congo remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/republic-of-the-congo/

Fitch rating: CCC (2019)

Moody's rating: Caa2 (2018)

Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2020)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

832 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

total: 11 years

male: 11 years

female: 11 years (2012)

urban population: 69.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 3.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

1 state-owned TV and 3 state-owned radio stations; several privately owned TV and radio stations; satellite TV service is available; rebroadcasts of several international broadcasters are available

improved:

urban: 97.5% of population

rural: 56.4% of population

total: 84.2% of population

unimproved:

urban: 2.5% of population

rural: 43.6% of population

total: 15.8% of population (2020 est.)

name: "La Congolaise" (The Congolese)

lyrics/music: Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE

note: originally adopted 1959, restored 1991

2.638 million BRAZZAVILLE (capital), 1.336 million Pointe-Noire (2023)

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

lion, elephant; national colors: green, yellow, red

19.6 years (2011/12 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 20-49

30.1% (2014/15)

household consumption: 44.1% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 13.1% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 24.9% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.3% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 56.9% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -39.3% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

total dependency ratio: 72.9 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 65.4 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 7.5 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 13.3 (2024 est.)

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent 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

the population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville as shown in this population distribution map

electrification - total population: 50.6% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas: 67.5%

electrification - rural areas: 12.4%

TN

improved:

urban: 73.4% of population

rural: 15.1% of population

total: 54.7% of population

unimproved:

urban: 26.6% of population

rural: 84.9% of population

total: 45.3% of population (2020 est.)

Kongo (Bakongo) 40.5%, Teke 16.9%, Mbochi 13.1%, foreigner 8.2%, Sangha 5.6%, Mbere/Mbeti/Kele 4.4%, Punu 4.3%, Pygmy 1.6%, Oubanguiens 1.6%, Duma 1.5%, Makaa 1.3%, other and unspecified 1% (2014-15 est.)

Roman Catholic 33.1%, Awakening Churches/Christian Revival 22.3%, Protestant 19.9%, Salutiste 2.2%, Muslim 1.6%, Kimbanguiste 1.5%, other 8.1%, none 11.3% (2007 est.)

French (official), French Lingala and Monokutuba (trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

major-language sample(s):
Buku oyo ya bosembo ya Mokili Mobimba Ezali na Makanisi ya Liboso Mpenza. (Lingala)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

China 24%, Angola 20%, Gabon 9%, France 6%, UAE 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

highest point: Mont Nabeba 1,020 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 430 m

0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

3.9% of GDP (2021)

the FAC's primary focus is internal security; it is organized into approximately nine military zones; the Army's primary combat forces are an infantry brigade and a Republican Guard force

since its creation in 1961, the FAC has had a turbulent history; it has been sidelined by some national leaders in favor of personal militias, endured an internal rebellion (1996), and clashed with various rebel groups and political or ethnic militias (1993-1996, 2002-2005, 2017); during the 1997-1999 civil war, the military generally split along ethnic lines, with most northern officers supporting eventual winner SASSOU-Nguesso, and most southerners backing the rebels; others joined ethnic-based factions loyal to regional warlords; forces backing SASSOU-Nguesso were supported by Angolan troops and received some French assistance; the FAC also has undergone at least three reorganizations that included the incorporation of former rebel combatants and various ethnic and political militias; in recent years, France has provided some advice and training, and a military cooperation agreement was signed with Russia in 2019 (2024)

approximately 12-14,000 active troops, including Gendarmerie (2025)

the FAC has mostly Soviet-era armaments, with a small mix of Chinese, French, and South African equipment (2024)

has about 190 mostly police personnel deployed to the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2024)

severe localized food insecurity: due to floods - above average rainfall amounts since November 2022 triggered flooding in December 2022 and January 2023 in central and northern parts of the country, displacing people; according to damage assessment reports, about 165,000 people have been affected in 23 districts in the departments of Cuvette, Likouala, Plateaux and Sangha (2023)

municipal: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal solid waste generated annually: 451,200 tons (1993 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 118,214 tons (2005 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 26.2% (2005 est.)

particulate matter emissions: 29.48 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 3.28 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 2.24 megatons (2020 est.)

Congo Basin

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)

Oubangui (Ubangi) (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

total World Heritage Sites: 2 (natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Sangha Trinational Forest; Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua

women married by age 15: 8.4%

women married by age 18: 29.1%

men married by age 18: 5.6% (2018 est.)

imports: 65 metric tons (2023 est.)

fossil fuels: 79.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 20.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

production: 425 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption: 425 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 283.99 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

total petroleum production: 267,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 2.882 billion barrels (2021 est.)

1.87 (2024 est.)

51.8% (2023 est.)

0.29% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.28% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

total ports: 5 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 1

very small: 4

ports with oil terminals: 4

key ports: Djeno Terminal, Dussafu Terminal, N'kossa Terminal, Pointe Noire, Yombo Terminal

chamber name: National Assembly (Assemblée nationale)

number of seats: 151 (all directly elected)

electoral system: plurality/majority

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 7/10/2022 to 7/31/2022

parties elected and seats per party: Congolese Workers Party (PCT) (112); Other (39)

percentage of women in chamber: 14.6%

expected date of next election: July 2026

chamber name: Senate (Sénat)

number of seats: 72 (all indirectly elected)

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 6 years

most recent election date: 8/20/2023

percentage of women in chamber: 31.9%

expected date of next election: August 2029

2.48 million (2023 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

total: 41.2% (2023 est.)

male: 42.4% (2023 est.)

female: 40.1% (2023 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

total: 20.7 years (2024 est.)

male: 20.5 years

female: 20.9 years

$6.75 billion (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

282 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

$715.391 million (2023 est.)
$835.649 million (2022 est.)
$828.56 million (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

130.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

3.79 children born/woman (2024 est.)

20.05% (2023 est.)
20.26% (2022 est.)
22.08% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

total: 6,097,665 (2024 est.)

male: 3,045,973

female: 3,051,692

2.66 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 1.826 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 834,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total : 342,000 sq km

land: 341,500 sq km

water: 500 sq km

6.51% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$38.163 billion (2023 est.)
$37.448 billion (2022 est.)
$36.904 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

56 (2025)

total: 30.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 33.5 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 27.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total subscriptions: 5.87 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 97 (2021 est.)

4.3% (2023 est.)
3.04% (2022 est.)
1.72% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

$1.716 billion (2021 est.)
$1.441 billion (2020 est.)
$1.632 billion (2019 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$6,200 (2023 est.)
$6,200 (2022 est.)
$6,300 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

total: 78,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.)

total: 14.5% (2020 est.)

male: 26.8% (2020 est.)

female: 2.1% (2020 est.)

9.6% (2016)

7.351 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

4.8 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

28.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

installed generating capacity: 842,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 2.832 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports: 31 million kWh (2023 est.)

imports: 30.588 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 2.335 billion kWh (2023 est.)

total: 11 (2023)

by type: oil tanker 1, other 10

12.3% (2014/15)

$4.487 billion (2021 est.)
$3.279 billion (2020 est.)
$4.945 billion (2019 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$7.752 billion (2021 est.)
$4.67 billion (2020 est.)
$7.855 billion (2019 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

total subscriptions: 17,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1

total: 5.74 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 5.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0.1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0.52 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total population: 72.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 71.5 years

female: 74.3 years

1.91% (2023 est.)
1.48% (2022 est.)
1.02% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

0.75% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

agriculture: 9% (2023 est.)

industry: 45.2% (2023 est.)

services: 40.4% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

3.17% of GDP (2018 est.)

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

4.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

2.38% (2024 est.)