• Congo public debt fell to 74.11% of GDP in 2025
• Domestic borrowing dominates, accounting for 61% of total debt
• Short maturities loom, with 15.47% due within 12 months

The Republic of Congo’s outstanding public debt fell in 2025. Debt stood at 7,229.63 billion CFA francs ($13.16 billion), or 74.11% of GDP, according to the 2026-2028 Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy published by the Ministry of Finance on Jan. 29, 2026.

That compares with 7,414.78 billion CFA francs in 2024, which represented 80.18% of GDP. The annual decrease is 2.49%. Despite this decline, the level of debt remains high relative to the size of the economy.

More domestic borrowing

Congo’s debt profile shows increased reliance on domestic financing. Domestic debt reached 4,418.03 billion CFA francs, representing 61% of total outstanding debt and 45.29% of GDP in 2025. It consists mainly of public securities at 47.17%, social creditors at 17.22%, and liabilities to the BEAC amounting to 13.42%. This choice to finance on the local market reduces exposure to exchange rate risk but increases dependence on the domestic financial system.

External debt reached 2,811.62 billion CFA francs, or 28.82% of GDP. It is owed to bilateral, multilateral, and commercial creditors. Bilateral creditors represent the largest category of external debt, with an outstanding amount of 1,290.98 billion CFA francs, or approximately 45.92% of the total external debt stock. Loans contracted from multilateral creditors represent the second largest category, with an outstanding amount valued at 1,205.99 billion CFA francs (42.89%). Commercial creditors represent 11.19% of the external debt stock, or 314.65 billion CFA francs.

Debt costs contained, but repayments loom

In 2025, interest payments represented 2.63% of GDP. The main concern is the repayment schedule. The average life of the debt is 6.39 years, consisting of 5.48 years for domestic debt and 7.83 years for external debt. Domestic debt therefore matures more quickly. This relatively short maturity indicates that the state must meet its debt service obligations within 6.39 years.

Furthermore, 15.47% of total debt matures within the next 12 months, which is approximately 1,118 billion CFA francs, equivalent to 11.60% of GDP. This means the state will have to either repay or refinance this amount by the end of 2026. This situation highlights a concentration of short-term repayments, especially regarding domestic debt, which could exert pressure on the treasury if financing conditions become less favorable.

Chamberline Moko