What impact does COVID-19 have on the Congolese economy and international trade?

Abstract

COVID-19 is spreading at a rate that could cause fear for international trade. In the past three months, the total number of confirmed cases has increased. The virus has confined more than half of the planet, contaminating the functioning of industries, dysfunctioning infrastructure at the national level, such as health care, transport, commerce and public services. The slowdown in production in China has had effects worldwide, reflecting China's growing importance in global supply chains and in commodity markets. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where foreign trade represents on average 60% of its economy, is severely affected by this pandemic. The economy is in recession, prices continue to climb, the value of the currency continues to depreciate and leads to a loss of confidence.