This article covers economic relations between India and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): the value of bilateral trade year by year, the main goods traded, the presence of Indian companies in the DRC, and the business events and official delegations that have linked the two economies. It draws on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) brief dated 10 April 2026.

Value of trade

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, bilateral trade between India and the DRC has increased from US$ 440 million in 2020-21 to US$ 790 million in 2023-2024, and to US$ 1 billion during 2024-25. The brief describes trade as growing at a healthy rate.

The brief gives the following figures in US$ million, citing the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India:

  • 2020-2021: exports to the DRC 430.33; imports from the DRC 10.16; total trade 440.49; balance of trade 420.17
  • 2021-2022: exports to the DRC 568.17; imports from the DRC 31.21; total trade 599.38; balance of trade 536.96
  • 2022-2023: exports to the DRC 631; imports from the DRC 214; total trade 845; balance of trade 417
  • 2023-2024: exports to the DRC 580.69; imports from the DRC 209.40; total trade 790.09; balance of trade 371.29
  • 2024-2025: exports to the DRC 562.90; imports from the DRC 443.22; total trade 1006.12; balance of trade 119.68
  • April 2025 to January 2026: exports to the DRC 528.45; imports from the DRC 191.61; total trade 720.06; balance of trade 336.84

Main items traded

The main items of export from India to the DRC are pharmaceuticals, vehicles, textiles, electrical machinery, articles of plastic, and iron and steel. The main items imported by India from the DRC are mineral fuels, cocoa, articles of aluminium, iron and steel, and copper.

Indian companies in the DRC

The brief states that the Indian private sector has a large presence in the DRC, especially in health-care, hospitality, mining, pharmaceuticals, FMCG goods, telecom, construction and real estate. It gives no figures for Indian investment in the DRC or for Congolese investment in India.

Business events

The brief records the following visits to the DRC by trade bodies and companies:

  • In November 2022, the Embassy of India, in collaboration with APEDA, Plexconcil, FICCI and the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC), held a buyer-seller meeting (BSM) on rice, wheat, sugar and plastics.
  • A 15-member CII delegation visited the DRC in March 2024.
  • A delegation of 12 Indian defence companies, including two with local representatives, visited the DRC to participate in the 1st India-DRC Defence Industry Seminar and Expo held in Kinshasa on 28-29 January 2025.

Indian official and company delegations to the DRC

Several Indian delegations with an economic focus have visited the DRC:

  • The Commerce Secretary led a delegation of government officials and representatives of public and private sector companies to the DRC in June 2008.
  • A delegation from the Ministry of Small Scale Industries visited the DRC in December 2015 and met Congolese officials.
  • A three-member delegation from MIDHANI (Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited) visited Kinshasa from 5-7 November 2019.
  • A two-member RITES delegation visited Kinshasa in March 2023.

The Ministry of Mines has sent delegations to the DRC Mining Week & Expo in three successive years: one led by a Joint Secretary in June 2023, one led by a Director in June 2024, and one led by a Joint Secretary in June 2025.

Congolese ministers at Indian business events

DRC ministers have taken part in business conclaves and summits in India, many of them organised by CII:

  • H.E. Mr. Jean Pierre Bemba, Vice President of the DRC, attended the first CII conclave in March 2005.
  • H.E. Mr. Simon Mboso Kiamputu, Minister of Industry, visited India from 3-7 September 2007.
  • H.E. Mr. Andre-Philippe Futa, Minister of National Economy & Commerce, participated in the CII Partnership Summit in Delhi from 13-18 January 2008.
  • H.E. Ms. Dismas Swana Emina Monzia Magbengu, Vice Minister for International and Regional Cooperation, attended the 9th CII-Exim Bank Conclave in March 2013.
  • H.E. Ms. Nefertiti Ngudianza Bayokisa Kisula, Minister of Trade, attended the 11th CII-Exim Bank Conclave in March 2016.
  • H.E. Mr. Modeste Bahati Lukwebo, Minister of Economy, attended the 12th CII-Exim Bank Conclave in March 2017.
  • H.E. Mr. Vital Kamerhe Kahongya, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of National Economy, and Mr. Desire M'Zinga Birihanze, Minister of Entrepreneurship & MSMEs, attended the 18th CII-Exim Bank Conclave in June 2023.
  • H.E. Mr. Teddy Lwamba Muba, Minister of Hydraulic Resources & Electricity, and H.E. Mr. Louis Kabamba Watum, Minister of Industry & Development of SMEs, attended the 19th CII Conclave in August 2024.