Waking the sleeping giant: development pathways for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to 2050

Specific sectoral improvements could help the DRC realise its potential as a driver of economic growth in Africa.

Despite its abundant natural resources, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) ranks near the bottom in various human and economic development indicators and its average income is about 40% of its value at independence in 1960. Using the International Futures modelling platform, this report presents the DRC’s likely human and economic development prospects to 2050 on its current trajectory. Thereafter, the report models various complementary scenarios that explore the impact of sectoral improvements on the country’s future.

About the authors

Kouassi Yeboua is a Researcher in the African Futures and Innovation Programme at the ISS in Pretoria. Before joining the ISS, he was export representative at Sarina Glass Ltd, Istanbul, Turkey.

Jakkie Cilliers is the founder of the ISS, chairperson of the ISS Board of Trustees and currently heads the ISS African Futures and Innovation Programme. He stepped down as ISS executive director in 2015.

Stellah Kwasi is a Researcher in the African Futures and Innovation Programme at the ISS in Pretoria. Before joining the ISS she was a research affiliate at the Frederick S. Pardee Centre for International Futures at the University of Denver, Colorado.

Photo: Ollivier Girard/CIFOR