In pursuit of the economic independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo<br>Working paper no. 01/2020

ABSTRACT

Sixty years after gaining its political independence, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is still in pursuit of its economic independence. During a webinar organised by the Makutano Institute, academics and practitioners analysed this question by breaking it down into three complementary elements: access to international capital markets and the possibility (for the government) of issuing eurobonds, a national industrial policy that can usefully build on the country's natural resources, and the improvement of human capital together with the facilitation of technology transfer.

For its approach to be effective, the DRC inevitably needs the practice of good governance in both the public and private sectors. At the same time, it needs a leadership that sets clear objectives for itself and takes the actions required for a sound structural transformation of the Congolese economy, through a sound agricultural policy, industrial development and economic diversification that integrates the questions of energy independence and financial independence.