The National Economic and Financial Committee of Congo (CNEF), an internal body of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), held its final annual session on December 8 in Brazzaville to review the economic situation within the community. Regarding Congo, the report indicates that economic activity performed well during the third quarter of 2025.
The latest annual session of the CNEF was chaired by the Minister of Finance, Budget and Public Portfolio, Christian Yoka. As usual, it allowed the members of this body to assess the macroeconomic situation of the BEAC region in order to make sound projections.
Regarding the Congo, the CNEF noted that economic activity improved significantly during the last quarter of 2025, thanks to continued investment in the oil sector, as well as the strong performance of the non-oil sector. Because of this progress, the CNEF confirms, economic activity is expected to strengthen in 2025, with real GDP growth reaching 2.8%, compared to 1.5% in 2024.
On the price front, the CNEF continues, inflation should remain close to the community standard of 3.0%, compared to 3.1% in 2024, linked to the rise in prices of certain food products and disruptions in electricity supply.
Examining the various financing methods used by the Congolese economy, BEAC experts noted a 27.9% increase in outstanding gross loans granted by banks, reaching 1,816.4 billion FCFA as of August 31, 2025, and a 15.7% rise in non-performing loans, reaching 264.8 billion FCFA. Year-on-year, as of the end of August 2025, Congo’s market activity was characterized by a 4.7% increase in expressed needs and a 12.1% increase in outstanding loans, reaching 2,659.3 billion FCFA.
At the sub-regional level, according to the BEAC, the composite index of economic activity rose by 6.7% year-on-year, following an increase of 8.0% in the previous quarter and 9.3% a year earlier. The average annual inflation rate stood at 2.8% in September 2025, compared to 4.3% a year earlier. For 2025, the GDP growth rate is projected at 2.6%, compared to 2.7% in 2024.
At the international level, however, the CNEF noted that the national economic situation remained resilient, despite the climate of uncertainty linked to the protectionist trade policy of the United States and persistent geopolitical tensions. In light of this, the International Monetary Fund, in its “World Economic Outlook” published in October 2025, revised its global growth forecasts upward to 3.2% for 2025 and 3.1% for 2026. The CNEF’s latest annual session was attended by the Minister of Economy, Planning and Sub-Regional Integration, Ludovic Ngatsé, the Governor of the BEAC, Yvon Sana Bangui, and several other officials from sub-regional banking institutions.
