Weaknesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s banking system put companies doing business with the country at risk, warns the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its October country report on the DRC. It describes the DRC as “a difficult business environment with an uncertain application of the rule of law combined with the lack of diversification of the economy, limiting potential demand for financial services”. But despite the challenges, the economy has been growing “vigorously” and inf lation is now in single digits. GDP growth is estimated to have been at 8.5% in 2013, and is projected to be over 8% for 2014. Mining sector activities are the driving force for growth, with public sector investment, agriculture and manufacturing also helping to broaden the economic base.
