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The twenty imports the Democratic Republic of the Congo is best placed to replace.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo imported USD 9.3bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 293m. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 1.7bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
79products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
44products the Democratic Republic of the Congo already exports well
192product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing the Democratic Republic of the Congo already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Wigs, false beards, eyebrows and eyelashes, switches and the like and other articles n.e.c.: of human hairHS 670420

    Comes fromChina 97%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 17k
    Countries that export it well9

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 104m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); China supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 104mup 110% on 2022
  2. 2

    Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavouredHS 220210

    Comes fromZambia 72%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 82k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 34m
    Countries that export it well60

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 164m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Zambia supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 164mup 297% on 2022
  3. 3

    Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially colouredHS 252329

    Comes fromZambia 54%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well54

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 115m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); Zambia supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 115mup 42% on 2022
  4. 4

    Food preparations: sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoaHS 190531

    Comes fromZambia 69%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the... (exports USD 20m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k
    Countries that export it well52

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 92m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); Zambia supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 92mup 25% on 2022
  5. 5

    Washing and cleaning preparations: powders, flakes and granules, surface-active, whether or not containing soap...HS 340250

    Comes fromZambia 82%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 46m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 82m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Zambia supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 82mup 25% on 2022
  6. 6

    Iron or steel: grinding balls and similar articles for mills, forged or stamped, but not further workedHS 732611

    Comes fromChina 71%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 31m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 38m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 2 per cent (3); China supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 38mdown 24% on 2022
  7. 7

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of...HS 870423

    Comes fromChina 81%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 321k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 228m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 173m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); China supplies 81 per cent (2).

    USD 173mup 60% on 2022
  8. 8

    Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral substances, for agglomerating, shaping or...HS 847490

    Comes fromChina 70%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 5k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 58m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 162m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); China supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 162mdown 44% on 2022
  9. 9

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromChina 63%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 7k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 93m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); China supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 93mdown 55% on 2022
  10. 10

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromTanzania 44%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 66m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); Tanzania supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 66mup 40% on 2022
  11. 11

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or...HS 640299

    Comes fromChina 98%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 4k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 64m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); China supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 64mdown 29% on 2022
  12. 12

    Sulphuric acid: oleumHS 280700

    Comes fromZambia 100%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 58m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); Zambia supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 58mdown 65% on 2022
  13. 13

    Sulphides: of sodium, whether or not chemically definedHS 283010

    Comes fromChina 66%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 54m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); China supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 54mdown 16% on 2022
  14. 14

    Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: n.e.c. in item no. 8429.50HS 842959

    Comes fromUganda 64%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 224k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 164m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 43m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); Uganda supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 43mup 107% on 2022
  15. 15

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, ammonium nitrate, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310230

    Comes fromSouth Africa 55%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 22m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 37m, top 25 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); South Africa supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 37mdown 16% on 2022
  16. 16

    Explosives, prepared: other than propellent powdersHS 360200

    Comes fromZambia 79%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 48 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); Zambia supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 21mup 14% on 2022
  17. 17

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromIndia 53%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 7k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 62m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 135m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); India supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 135mdown 6% on 2022
  18. 18

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than...HS 853710

    Comes fromChina 49%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 89k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 38m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 76m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); China supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 76mup 18% on 2022
  19. 19

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromChina 69%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 40m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 68m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); China supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 68mdown 30% on 2022
  20. 20

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721420

    Comes fromAngola 38%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 65m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3).

    USD 65mup 21% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products the Democratic Republic of the Congo already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

No line where the country already exports well and still imports more than it sells abroad.

How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 192 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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