The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is Africa’s most ethnically diverse country, home to over 200 ethnic groups. It shares borders with nine countries: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, extending from Eastern Africa to the Atlantic Ocean.

French is the official language, while Lingala is the lingua franca for trading. Other languages spoken include Kingwana (similar to Swahili), Kikongo, and Tshuluba. The DRC is renowned for its vast tropical rainforests and the legendary Congo River, which straddles the equator. Key crops include sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava, bananas, maize, and various fruits.

Thanks to its varied altitude and fertile soil, the Belgian colonialists established many coffee plantations early in the 20th century. Today, the DRC’s coffee sector is experiencing a significant rejuvenation.

• Varieties: Arabica, Robusta
• Production: tbc
• Export: tbc
• Marketing system: Direct sales
• Harvest season: January-November
• Port of shipment: Matadi, DRC
• Export destinations: tbc