Talent Wiki - The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Your quick guide on talent and labor compliance norms in Congo
Capital
Kinshasa
Currency
Congolese Franc (CDF)
Languages
French, Swahili, Lingala
Payroll Frequency
Monthl
GDP per Capita
$660
Employer Tax
14.2% - 19.2%
Talent Overview
Congo is considered to be extremely rich in natural resources, and mining communities are prominent in the major cities. Minerals are the most significant export of Congo, with China importing more than 50% of their exports in 2019.
Major economic hubs:
Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Mbuji-Mayi
Skills in demand:
Management, Sales, Banking, Hospitality, Food Processing, Construction, Healthcare
Local Universities
The top local universities in Congo are as follows:
University of Kinshasa
Ranking:
Local: 1
World: 9103
Université Catholique de Bukavu
Ranking:
Local: 2
World: 10219
Université Libre des Pays des Grands Lacs
Ranking:
Local: 3
World: 10413
Université Catholique du Congo
Ranking:
Local: 4
World: 10487
Université Officielle de Bukavu
Ranking:
Local: 5
World: 10661
Salary Data
Some of the popular jobs and their annual salaries are listed below:
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary (CDF) | AverageAnnual Salary (USD) |
| Director | 309,772,480 | 155,361.40 |
| Operations Manager | 281,702,482 | 141,283.34 |
| Finance Manager | 278,293,982 | 139,573.87 |
| Surgeon | 122,906,492 | 61,641.77 |
| IT Manager | 89,021,994 | 44,647.55 |
Talent Sourcing Tips
Top Local Job Boards:
Devnet Jobs, JobNet Africa, AfricaWork
Number of LinkedIn users:
466,400
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Employing in Congo
Below are the key points an employer must keep in mind while seeking employees in Congo.
Employee Contract:
In Congo, an employment contract can be oral or written. It is strongly advised to draft a written agreement. The written contract can be fixed or open-ended. A verbal contract will always be considered open-ended until evidence of it being specified in writing is presented.
Probation Period
The probationary period for employees in Congo is up to two months.
Public and Provincial Holidays 2023
| Date | Name | Type |
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | Public holiday |
| 4 Jan | Martyrs of Independence Day | Public holiday |
| 16 Jan | Anniversary of President Laurent Kabila’s Assassination | Public holiday |
| 17 Jan | Anniversary of Prime Minister Patrice Emery Lumumba’s Assassination | Public holiday |
| 1 May | May Day | Public holiday |
| 17 May | Liberation Day | Public holiday |
| 30 Jun | Independence Day | Public holiday |
| 1 Aug | Parents’ Day | Public holiday |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | Public holiday |
Employee Leaves:
| Type of Leave | Duration | Mandatory |
| Annual Leave | 12 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 10 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 14 weeks (with partial pay) | Yes |
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
Monthly
Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Congo is set to 1,680 CDF per day.
Overtime Pay
Overtime pay in Congo is set to 30% over base pay for the first 6 hours and 60% for subsequent hours. For off-days and weekends, overtime pay is 100% over base pay.
Bonus
13th Month Pay:
Not mandatory
Employee Benefits:
- Maternity Leave
- Social Security
- Bonuses
- Insurance
Taxes
Employer Payroll Tax:
| Type of Tax | Rate |
| National insurance fund |
|
| National office for professional training |
|
| National office of employment | 0.2% |
Employee Payroll Tax:
| Type of Tax | Rate |
| Social Security | 5% |
Employee Income Tax:
| Taxable income (CDF) | Tax Rate (%) | Tax Liability | |
| Over | Not over | ||
| – | 1,944,000 | 3 | 58,320 |
| 1,944,000 | 21,600,000 | 15 | 593,400 |
| 21,600,000 | 43,200,000 | 30 | – |
| 43,200,000 | and over | 40 | – |
Offboarding & Termination
Employment in Congo can be terminated both by the employee and the employer. The employer can terminate the employment on substantial grounds. If the employment is terminated without any grounds, the employer must pay a severance to the employee.
The notice period in Congo is 8 days for permanent employees and employees on probation.
The severance pay rate depends on the employment contract.
Visa and Immigration
Non-Congolese employees must obtain a work visa to be employed in Congo. An individual traveling to Congo for employment can apply for a standard work permit, valid for up to two years. They can also apply for a work-specific visa that will allow them to work and reside in the country for one year.
