Government of Congo
268 officials listed, each linked to its source.
Congo, officially the Republic of the Congo, has its capital at Brazzaville and a population of 6,484,437 (World Bank, 2025). The CIA World Factbook describes its system of government as a presidential republic. President Denis Sassou N'Guesso is head of state; Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso is head of government. The legislature is the Parliament (Parlement), a bicameral body with 151 seats in the National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) and 72 seats in the Senate (Sénat). The most recent national election, per IFES ElectionGuide, was held on 15 Mar 2026. The source lists the next national election as expected in August 2029. Elections are run by the Ministère de l'Intérieur et de la Décentralisation (organises elections); CNEI site found but empty. The directory below lists 4 cabinet and ministerial posts with their current holders and sources.
Parliament (Parlement)
Bicameral. Source: CIA World Factbook
| Chamber | Seats | Last election |
|---|---|---|
| National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) | 151 (all directly elected) | 20 Aug 2023 |
| Senate (Sénat) | 72 (all indirectly elected) | 7/10/2022 to 7/31/2022 |
Congo National Assembly: list of deputies · Congo Senate: list of senators
Political mix
Seats by party in each chamber of Congo. One dot is one seat.
National Assembly
As elected, 2022
151
National Assembly seats
- Congolese Party of Labour112(74.2%)
- Pan-African Union for Social Democracy7(4.6%)
- Union of Humanist Democrats-Yuki7(4.6%)
- Independents6(4%)
- Action and Renewal Movement4(2.6%)
- Club 2002 - Party for the Unity and the Republic2(1.3%)
- Dynamic for the Republic and Recovery2(1.3%)
- Rally for Democracy and Social Progress2(1.3%)
- Republican and Liberal Party2(1.3%)
- Citizen Rally1(0.7%)
- Movement for Democracy and Integral Development1(0.7%)
- Movement for Democracy and Progress1(0.7%)
- Movement for Unity, Solidarity and Labour1(0.7%)
- Permanent Action for the Congo1(0.7%)
- Perspectives and Realities Club1(0.7%)
- Union for the Reconstruction and Development1(0.7%)
Seats by party (table)
| Party | Seats | Share of seats |
|---|---|---|
| Congolese Party of Labour | 112 | 74.2% |
| Pan-African Union for Social Democracy | 7 | 4.6% |
| Union of Humanist Democrats-Yuki | 7 | 4.6% |
| Independents | 6 | 4% |
| Action and Renewal Movement | 4 | 2.6% |
| Club 2002 - Party for the Unity and the Republic | 2 | 1.3% |
| Dynamic for the Republic and Recovery | 2 | 1.3% |
| Rally for Democracy and Social Progress | 2 | 1.3% |
| Republican and Liberal Party | 2 | 1.3% |
| Citizen Rally | 1 | 0.7% |
| Movement for Democracy and Integral Development | 1 | 0.7% |
| Movement for Democracy and Progress | 1 | 0.7% |
| Movement for Unity, Solidarity and Labour | 1 | 0.7% |
| Permanent Action for the Congo | 1 | 0.7% |
| Perspectives and Realities Club | 1 | 0.7% |
| Union for the Reconstruction and Development | 1 | 0.7% |
As elected: the seats each party won at the 2022 election. It does not follow members who changed party afterwards. 151 seats in the chamber. As of 10 July 2022. Source: Wikipedia, 2022 Republic of the Congo parliamentary election (reference source).
Senate
Current
71
Senate seats
- PCT52(73.2%)
- Independents7(9.9%)
- RDPS3(4.2%)
- Club 20022(2.8%)
- MAR2(2.8%)
- LCEM1(1.4%)
- MCDDI1(1.4%)
- PRL1(1.4%)
- UDLC1(1.4%)
- UPADS1(1.4%)
Seats by party (table)
| Party | Seats | Share of seats |
|---|---|---|
| PCT | 52 | 73.2% |
| Independents | 7 | 9.9% |
| RDPS | 3 | 4.2% |
| Club 2002 | 2 | 2.8% |
| MAR | 2 | 2.8% |
| LCEM | 1 | 1.4% |
| MCDDI | 1 | 1.4% |
| PRL | 1 | 1.4% |
| UDLC | 1 | 1.4% |
| UPADS | 1 | 1.4% |
Current: seats by party as listed in the source on the date shown. It can differ from the election result because of defections and by-elections. 71 seats in the chamber. As of 20 September 2026. Source: Wikipedia, Senate (Republic of the Congo) (reference source).
Names and parties come from the official member pages of the National Assembly and the Senate. Both sites were offline when we checked on 23 October 2026, so we read the copies of those exact pages kept by the Internet Archive (Assembly page saved 24 July 2025, Senate page saved 12 May 2025). Changes since those dates, such as deaths, resignations or by-elections, are not shown. Party names are copied as printed and not merged.
Cabinet
| Portfolio | Holder | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | Constant-Serge Bounda | - |
| Minister of the Interior | Jean Olessongo Ondaye | - |
| Minister of Defence | Raymond Zéphirin Mboulou | - |
| Minister of Finance | Christian Yoka | - |
Sources: Government of the Republic of the Congo (retrieved 25 Oct 2026).
Other cabinet members
| Portfolio | Holder | Appointed |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister, Head of Government (Premier Ministre, Chef du Gouvernement) | Anatole Collinet Makosso | 23 Apr 2026 |
| Vice Prime Minister in charge of Coordination, Development Infrastructure and Spatial Planning (Vice-Premier ministre, chargé de la Coordination, des Infrastructures de développement et de l’Aménagement du territoire) | Jean-Jacques Bouya | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of State, Minister at the Presidency in charge of Political Affairs (Ministre d’État, ministre à la présidence chargé des Affaires politiques) | Pierre Oba | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of State, Minister of Construction, Urban Planning and Housing (Ministre d’État, ministre de la Construction, de l’Urbanisme et de l’Habitat) | Alphonse Claude Nsilou | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of State, Minister of the Civil Service, Labour and Social Dialogue (Ministre d’État, ministre de la Fonction publique, du Travail et du Dialogue social) | Pierre Mabiala | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Culture, Arts, National Heritage and the Tourism Industry (Ministre de la Culture, des Arts, du Patrimoine national et de l’Industrie touristique) | Jean-Claude Gakosso | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Sports, Youth and Civic Education (Ministre des Sports, de la Jeunesse et de l’Éducation civique) | Hugues Ngouelondele | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of State Control, Quality of Public Service and the Fight Against Anti-values (Ministre du Contrôle d’État, de la Qualité du service public et de la Lutte contre les antivaleurs) | Noël Léonard Essongo | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Ministre de l’agriculture et de l’élevage) | Paul Valentin Ngobo | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Energy and Hydraulics (Ministre de l’Énergie et de l’Hydraulique) | Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Communication and Media, Government Spokesperson (Ministre de la communication et des médias, porte-parole du gouvernement) | Thierry Moungalla | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Land Affairs and Public Domain (Ministre des Affaires foncières et du Domaine public) | Jean-Marc Thystère Tchicaya | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Health and Population (Ministre de la santé et de la population) | Jean Rosaire Ibara | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Integration (Ministre de l’économie, du plan et de l’intégration régionale) | Ludovic Ngatsé | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and the Congo Basin (Ministre de l’environnement du développement durable et du bassin du Congo) | Arlette Soudan Nonault | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Forest Economy (Ministre de l’économie forestière) | Rosalie Matondo | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Social Security, Social Welfare and National Solidarity (Ministre de la Sécurité sociale, de la Prévoyance sociale et de la Solidarité nationale) | Ingrid Olga Ghislaine Ebouka-Babackas | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation and Merchant Marine (Ministre des Transports, de l’Aviation civile et de la Marine marchande) | Josué Rodrigue Ngouonimba | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Promotion of Indigenous Peoples (Garde des sceaux, Ministre de la justice, des droits humains et de la promotion des peuples autochtones) | Ange Aimé Wilfrid Bininga | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Trade, Supplies and Consumption, in charge of the AfCFTA (Ministre du Commerce, des Approvisionnements et de la Consommation, chargée de la Zlécaf) | Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of International Cooperation and Promotion of Public-Private Partnership (Ministre de la coopération internationale et de la promotion du partenariat public/privé) | Denis Christel Sassou N'Guesso | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Fisheries, Fluvial Economy and Waterways (Ministre de la Pêche, de l’Économie fluviale et des Voies navigables) | Honoré Sayi | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Scientific Research and Technological Innovation (Ministre de la recherche scientifique et de l’innovation technologique) | Rigobert Maboundou | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Social Affairs and Humanitarian Action (Ministre des Affaires sociales et de l’Action humanitaire) | Lydie Pongault | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Hydrocarbons (Ministre des Hydrocarbure) | Stève Simplice Onanga | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Mining Industries and Geology (Ministre des Industries minières et de la Géologie) | Urbain Fiacre Opou | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Industrial Development, Special Economic Zones and Private Sector Promotion (Ministre du Développement industriel, des Zones économiques spéciales et de la Promotion du secteur privé) | Michel Djombo Balombelly | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Higher Education (Ministre de l’Enseignement supérieur) | Edith Delphine Emmanuel Adouki | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Pre-primary, Primary and Secondary Education and Literacy (Ministre de l’Enseignement préscolaire primaire, secondaire et de l’alphabétisation) | Jean Luc Mouthou | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Crafts (Ministre des Petites et moyennes entreprises et de l’Artisanat) | Irène Marie Cécile Mboukou Kimbatsa | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of State Reform and Relations with Parliament (Ministre de la Réforme de l’État et des Relations avec le Parlement) | Luc Joseph Okio | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister for the Promotion of Women, Integration of Women into Development, the Social Pact and the Informal Economy (Ministre de la Promotion de la femme, de l’Intégration de la femme au développement, du Pacte social et de l’Économie informelle) | Ines Nefer Bertille Ingani | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Urban Sanitation, Local Development and Road Maintenance (Ministre de l’assainissement urbain, du développement local et de l’entretien routier) | Juste Désiré Mondele | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Employment, Entrepreneurship and Skills Training (Ministre de l’Emploi, de l’Entrepreneuriat et de la Formation qualifiante) | Rodrigue Charles Malanda Samba | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy (Ministre des postes, des télécommunications et de l’économie numérique) | Frédéric Nze | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister of Technical and Vocational Education (Ministre de l’enseignement technique et professionnel) | Gustave Fulgence René Adicolle Goum | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister Delegate to the Minister of Culture, Arts, Tourism Industry and National Heritage, in charge of the Tourism Industry (Ministre délégué auprès du ministre de la Culture, des Arts, de l’Industrie touristique et du Patrimoine national, chargé de l’Industrie touristique) | Prince Bertrand Bahamboula | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Minister Delegate to the Minister of Sports, Youth and Civic Education, in charge of Youth and Civic Education (Ministre délégué auprès du ministre des Sports, de la Jeunesse et de l’Éducation civique, chargé de la Jeunesse et de l’Éducation civique) | Prince Michrist Kaba Mboko | 24 Apr 2026 |
Sources: Government of the Republic of the Congo (gouvernement.cg) (retrieved 11 Oct 2026).
List as of 11 Oct 2026.
Congo election dates 2026, 2027 and 2028
Next national election: Due by 2027, parliamentary election.
| Date | Election | Status | Turnout | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 2026 | Presidential election | Held | - | Denis Sassou Nguesso (PCT) |
| Due by 2027 | Parliamentary election | Due | - | - |
Sources: IFES ElectionGuide (retrieved 9 Oct 2026).
Economy at a glance
Full economy page- GDP
- US$16bn
- 2025
- GDP growth
- 3.1%
- 2025
- Remittances received
- US$44m
- 2021
- Foreign direct investment
- US$596m
- 2025
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Commission a study in CongoMore data for Congo
- Election calendar and results
- Economy of Congo
- Development jobs in Congo
- Constitution of Congo
- Statistics office and surveys in Congo
- Exams and universities in Congo
- Research permits and data protection in Congo
- Paid polls in Congo: join the waiting list
- Inflation and unemployment in Congo
- Debt of Congo: debt to GDP and largest creditors
- Natural resources in Congo
- Congo and the rest of Central Africa
Population of Congo
Congo had 6.5 million people in 2025, 36th largest of 53 in Africa. The IMF projects 7.4 million by 2030. African countries by population.
Population (2025)
6.5
36th largest of 53 in Africa
Population growth since 2015 (2025)
28.1 %
24th fastest-growing of 52 in Africa
Projected population 2030 (2030)
7.4
35th highest of 52 in Africa
People per sq km (2025)
19
45th most crowded of 53 in Africa
Source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook database, October 2026 (DataMapper indicators NGDPDPC, NGDPD and LP), October 2026. Last checked 24 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| Period | Congo |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 5.1 |
| 2016 | 5.2 |
| 2017 | 5.3 |
| 2018 | 5.4 |
| 2019 | 5.6 |
| 2020 | 5.7 |
| 2021 | 5.8 |
| 2022 | 6.0 |
| 2023 | 6.1 |
| 2024 | 6.3 |
| 2025 | 6.5 |
| 2026 | 6.7 (partial) |
| 2027 | 6.9 (partial) |
| 2028 | 7.1 (partial) |
| 2029 | 7.2 (partial) |
| 2030 | 7.5 (partial) |
Source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook database, October 2026 (DataMapper indicators NGDPDPC, NGDPD and LP), October 2026. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Inflation and unemployment in Congo
Prices in Congo rose 2.4% in 2025, 35th highest of 52 in Africa. The ILO estimates unemployment at 19.9% (2025) and 40.5% among people aged 15 to 24. Congo's own survey put it at 10% in 2012; the two differ because the ILO models every country on one method while national surveys define work and job search in their own way. Inflation in Africa · Unemployment in Africa · Congo's economy.
Inflation (2025)
2.4 %
18th lowest of 52 in Africa
Unemployment (2025)
19.9 %
48th lowest of 53 in Africa
Youth unemployment (2025)
40.5 %
48th lowest of 53 in Africa
Unemployment, national survey (2012)
10.0 %
National survey
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| Period | Congo |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.4 |
| 2011 | 1.8 |
| 2012 | 5.0 |
| 2013 | 4.6 |
| 2014 | 0.9 |
| 2015 | 3.2 |
| 2016 | 3.2 |
| 2017 | 0.5 |
| 2018 | 1.2 |
| 2019 | 2.2 |
| 2020 | 1.8 |
| 2021 | 1.7 |
| 2022 | 3.0 |
| 2023 | 4.3 |
| 2024 | 3.1 |
| 2025 | 2.4 |
| 2026 | Not published |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| Period | ILO modelled estimate | National survey |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 19.3 | Not published |
| 2011 | 19.4 | Not published |
| 2012 | 19.5 | 10.0 |
| 2013 | 19.9 | Not published |
| 2014 | 19.7 | Not published |
| 2015 | 20.0 | Not published |
| 2016 | 20.3 | Not published |
| 2017 | 20.7 | Not published |
| 2018 | 20.8 | Not published |
| 2019 | 20.5 | Not published |
| 2020 | 22.3 | Not published |
| 2021 | 22.0 | Not published |
| 2022 | 20.1 | Not published |
| 2023 | 19.9 | Not published |
| 2024 | 19.9 | Not published |
| 2025 | 19.9 | Not published |
| 2026 | Not published | Not published |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Life expectancy and infant mortality in Congo
A child born in Congo can expect to live 66 years (2024). 39 of every 1,000 children die before age five. Life expectancy in Africa, all countries ranked.
Life expectancy (2024)
66.0
27th longest of 54 in Africa
Child deaths under five (2024)
39
20th lowest of 54 in Africa
Health spending per person (2023)
76
27th highest of 54 in Africa
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| Period | Congo | Middle African country |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 63.3 | 61.8 |
| 2015 | 63.7 | 62.3 |
| 2016 | 63.9 | 62.8 |
| 2017 | 64.2 | 63.1 |
| 2018 | 64.5 | 63.2 |
| 2019 | 63.2 | 63.3 |
| 2020 | 64.4 | 63.7 |
| 2021 | 64.2 | 62.5 |
| 2022 | 65.0 | 64.6 |
| 2023 | 65.8 | 65.6 |
| 2024 | 66.0 | 65.8 |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| Period | Congo |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 55 |
| 2015 | 53 |
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 49 |
| 2018 | 48 |
| 2019 | 52 |
| 2020 | 45 |
| 2021 | 43 |
| 2022 | 42 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2024 | 39 |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Literacy rate in Congo
76.1% of adults in Congo can read and write (2005, World Bank). This is the latest survey, and it is old. Literacy rate in Africa by country · Universities and exam bodies in Congo.
Adult literacy (2005)
76.1 %
20th highest of 52 in Africa
Youth literacy (2005)
78.6 %
34th highest of 53 in Africa
Education spending, % of GDP (2023)
3.3 %
27th highest of 52 in Africa
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Human development and internet access in Congo
Congo's Human Development Index was 0.649 in 2023, 138th of 193 countries in the world (medium human development). Human Development Index in Africa · Tech and internet in Africa · Learn digital skills with SR Academy.
Human Development Index (2023)
0.65
15th highest of 54 in Africa
Internet users (2024)
47.3 %
21st highest of 54 in Africa
Mobile subscriptions (2024)
96
28th highest of 54 in Africa
Access to electricity (2024)
53.0 %
38th highest of 54 in Africa
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| Period | Congo | Middle African country |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0.55 | 0.44 |
| 2001 | 0.55 | 0.45 |
| 2002 | 0.55 | 0.45 |
| 2003 | 0.55 | 0.46 |
| 2004 | 0.56 | 0.46 |
| 2005 | 0.57 | 0.47 |
| 2006 | 0.58 | 0.47 |
| 2007 | 0.58 | 0.48 |
| 2008 | 0.59 | 0.49 |
| 2009 | 0.60 | 0.50 |
| 2010 | 0.61 | 0.50 |
| 2011 | 0.61 | 0.51 |
| 2012 | 0.62 | 0.52 |
| 2013 | 0.63 | 0.52 |
| 2014 | 0.64 | 0.52 |
| 2015 | 0.64 | 0.53 |
| 2016 | 0.64 | 0.53 |
| 2017 | 0.64 | 0.54 |
| 2018 | 0.64 | 0.54 |
| 2019 | 0.63 | 0.55 |
| 2020 | 0.64 | 0.55 |
| 2021 | 0.64 | 0.56 |
| 2022 | 0.64 | 0.57 |
| 2023 | 0.65 | 0.57 |
Source: UNDP, Human Development Report, composite indices time series. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Is Congo safe?
The US State Department rates Congo at level 2 of 4: exercise increased caution. Safest countries in Africa.
US travel advisory level (2024)
2
30th safest by advisory of 54 in Africa
Conflict deaths (2022)
3
26th highest of 30 in Africa
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Coups, democracy and stability in Congo
Congo has had 7 successful coups, the latest on 15 October 1997, and 9 failed attempts or plots. Coups in Africa: every country.
- 10 April 2005: Coup plot
- 15 October 1997: Coup (succeeded)
- 20 January 1992: Failed coup attempt
- 8 February 1979: Coup (succeeded)
- 5 February 1979: Coup (succeeded)
- 14 August 1978: Coup plot
- 18 March 1977: Failed coup attempt
- 22 February 1972: Failed coup attempt
Voice and accountability (2025)
34
41st highest of 54 in Africa
Political stability (2025)
57
22nd highest of 54 in Africa
Control of corruption (2025)
19
46th highest of 54 in Africa
Source: World Bank, Worldwide Governance Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Congo's debt
Government debt was 100.4% of GDP in 2025 (IMF). The largest foreign creditor is China, owed 55.7% of public debt abroad (2024). Congo's debt and creditors in full · Debt in Africa.
Reading on Congo
Where Congo ranks in Africa
Its place among the 54 African countries on each of our Africa rankings. Each tile opens the full ranking with its source.
- GDP per person24th of 53$2,378, 2025Richest countries in Africa
- Size of the economy33rd of 53$15.4 billion, 2025Largest economies in Africa
- Population36th of 536.49 million, 2025African countries by population
- Area27th of 54342,000 sq kmLargest countries in Africa
- Life expectancy27th of 5466.0 years, 2024Life expectancy in Africa
- US travel advisory27th of 54Level 2, increased cautionSafest countries in Africa
- President's time in office5th longest of 51Denis Sassou N'Guesso, 29 yearsLongest serving presidents
- President's age8th oldest of 5182 years oldOldest presidents in Africa
Cite this
PollsAfrica (2026). Government of Congo. Retrieved 26 Oct 2026 from https://pollsafrica.com/countries/congo