Economic challenges that Democratic Republic Of Congo (D.R.C) faced in 1970’s

10 Economic challenges that the Democratic Republic Of Congo (D.R.C) faced in 1970’s

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a country located in central Africa. It is the second-largest country in Africa by area, after Algeria. The DRC is bordered by nine countries: the Republic of the Congo to the northwest, the Central African Republic to the north, South Sudan to the northeast, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi to the east, Tanzania to the southeast, Zambia to the south, and Angola to the southwest. The DRC also has a 40-kilometer coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.

The following are economic challenges that Democratic Republic Of Congo (D.R.C) faced in 1970’s.




Corruption and mismanagement of the economy

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was ruled by Mobutu Sese Seko from 1965 to 1997. Mobutu was a corrupt dictator who used his power to enrich himself and his cronies. He embezzled billions of dollars from the state treasury and diverted funds meant for development projects into his own pockets. He also awarded lucrative contracts to his friends and family, regardless of their qualifications. This corruption and mismanagement of the economy led to widespread poverty and economic stagnation.

Inflation due to power struggle and corruption

Inflation is a general increase in prices and a decrease in the purchasing power of money. It can be caused by a number of factors, including corruption, power struggles, and economic mismanagement. In the DRC, inflation was rampant in the 1970s due to the combination of these factors. Mobutu’s corrupt regime was characterized by widespread embezzlement and mismanagement of public funds. This led to a decrease in the value of the DRC’s currency, the zaire. The power struggle that followed Mobutu’s downfall in 1997 also contributed to inflation. As different factions fought for control of the country, they printed more money to finance their military campaigns. This further devalued the zaire and made it even more difficult for people to afford basic necessities.

Heavy foreign debt

The DRC also accumulated a heavy foreign debt in the 1970s. This was due to a number of factors, including the country’s reliance on imports, the corruption of the Mobutu regime, and the economic mismanagement that characterized this period. By 1980, the DRC’s foreign debt had reached $14 billion. This debt burden made it difficult for the country to finance essential imports and development projects.

Standstill in economic activities and disruption of railway transport due to civil wars in the country and neighbouring Angola

The DRC was also beset by civil wars in the 1970s. These wars disrupted economic activities and caused widespread damage to infrastructure. The railway system, which was an important means of transportation for goods and people, was particularly hard hit. The civil wars also led to the displacement of millions of people, which further exacerbated the country’s economic problems.

Fall in world copper prices and increase in oil prices

The DRC is a major producer of copper and cobalt. In the 1970s, the price of copper fell sharply on the world market. This had a negative impact on the DRC’s economy, as copper exports accounted for a significant portion of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The price of oil also rose sharply in the 1970s. This made it more expensive for the DRC to import oil, which is a major source of energy for the country.

Lack of a sound economic policy

The DRC also suffered from a lack of a sound economic policy in the 1970s. The Mobutu regime did not implement any meaningful economic reforms to address the country’s problems. Instead, the government relied on foreign aid to prop up the economy. This reliance on foreign aid made the DRC vulnerable to external shocks, such as the fall in copper prices and the increase in oil prices.




The economic challenges faced by the DRC in the 1970s had a devastating impact on the country. They led to widespread poverty, economic stagnation, and social unrest. The DRC is still struggling to recover from these challenges today.

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