8open jobs
4organisations hiring
0violent events in 3 months
To prepare a mission or a new post: the essential context, region by region. This briefing does not replace your organisation's security briefing on arrival.
presidential republic
Demonstrations happen occasionally. In the past, demonstrations have become violent. Even when they are peaceful there is a risk of violence. Avoid any areas with demonstrations.
The Pool Region has historically been an area of conflict between Government Forces and the Ninja insurgent group. Live conflict has not been reported since both parties signed a ceasefire agreement in 2017. Violent clashes could arise again with little or no notice in response to political events. Be vigilant for reports of local unrest.
Kongo (Bakongo) 40.5%, Teke 16.9%, Mbochi 13.1%, foreigner 8.2%, Sangha 5.6%, Mbere/Mbeti/Kele 4.4%, Punu 4.3%, Pygmy 1.6%, Oubanguiens 1.6%, Duma 1.5%, Makaa 1.3%, other and unspecified 1% (2014-15 est.)
French (official), French Lingala and Monokutuba (trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
Roman Catholic 33.1%, Awakening Churches/Christian Revival 22.3%, Protestant 19.9%, Salutiste 2.2%, Muslim 1.6%, Kimbanguist 1.5%, other 8.1%, none 11.3% (2007 est.)
Country profiles: The World Factbook (CIA), public domain, last edition (2025-2026).
primarily an oil- and natural resources-based economy; recovery from mid-2010s oil devaluation has been slow and curtailed by COVID-19; extreme poverty increasing, particularly in southern rural regions; attempting to implement recommended CEMAC reforms; increasing likelihood of debt default
6.5 MPopulation2025
64.1 %Urban population2025
$2,515GDP per capita2025
3.1 %GDP growth2025
2.4 %Inflation2025
39.2 %Extreme poverty (international line)2011
19.9 %Unemployment2025
76.1 %Adult literacy2005
47.3 %Internet users2024
53 %Access to electricity2024
62,500refugees hosted2025
8,109asylum seekers2025
22,565refugees and asylum seekers from the country2025
Indicators: World Bank (CC BY 4.0); refugees and displaced people: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. Latest available year for each figure.
Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army, Navy, Congolese Air Force, National GendarmerieMinistry of Interior: National Police (2025)
Informative list, to be complemented by your organisation's security analysis and NGO security forums.
UK government (FCDO) travel advice. Some guidance is aimed at British nationals; always follow your organisation's instructions.
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the Republic of Congo-Central African Republic border in Likouala Region.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Follow FCDO:
Organised violence events recorded by UCDP, July – September 2026.
No organised violence event recorded in the country over this period.
This guide also has safety advice for regions of the Republic of Congo.
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in the Republic of Congo, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Demonstrations happen occasionally. In the past, demonstrations have become violent. Even when they are peaceful there is a risk of violence. Avoid any areas with demonstrations.
The Pool Region has historically been an area of conflict between Government Forces and the Ninja insurgent group. Live conflict has not been reported since both parties signed a ceasefire agreement in 2017. Violent clashes could arise again with little or no notice in response to political events. Be vigilant for reports of local unrest.
There have been reports of crime, particularly opportunistic crime such as pickpocketing, particularly in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, and criminals may target foreigners.
Take care of your belongings, particularly in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire. To reduce your personal risk:
Criminals may target your car. Take extra precautions against criminals targeting your vehicle, especially when travelling outside urban centres and anywhere in the Pool Region and Mouyondzi District. Reduce the risk of carjacking and break-ins by:
Police may ask you for ID. Always carry a colour copy of your passport, including your visa entry stamp. If you live in Congo, also always carry a colour copy of your residency card.
If you are planning to drive in the Republic of Congo, see information on driving abroad.
You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in the Republic of Congo. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
Some road conditions, particularly in remote parts of the country may be poor, particularly during the wet season from November to May. Reduce the risks of rural travel by using a well-maintained 4-wheel drive vehicle with necessary supplies. Travelling in convoy and in daylight will reduce the risk of being stranded if a breakdown or accident happens.
There are frequent vehicle checkpoints in the Republic of Congo, which can be poorly marked. If you’re asked for documents at a checkpoint, stay in your vehicle and show them through a closed window.
The UK Air Safety List (ASL) lists all known airlines in the Republic of Congo that do not meet international safety standards and are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the UK. Check the UK Air Safety List when considering which airlines to fly with. The list is maintained by the Department for Transport, based on advice from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
A passenger rail service operates between Brazzaville and Pointe Noire however, the service is often slow and unreliable.
The river border crossing between Brazzaville and Kinshasa can close without warning. The ferry stops running in late afternoon, does not run on Sunday and may be cancelled when there is bad weather. Check before travelling.
This section has safety advice for regions of the Republic of Congo. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
FCDO advises against all travel within 50km of the Republic of Congo-Central African Republic (CAR) border in Likouala Region.
There is a risk of violence, crime and insecurity in this area due to instability in CAR.
Some areas in the Pool region have historically been areas of conflict between the government and the Ninja insurgent group. There have not been any reports of live conflict since a ceasefire was agreed in 2017, however a risk remains of violent clashes breaking out with little or no notice, particularly in the districts of Boko, Kindamba, Kinkala, Mayama and Mindouli.
66yearsLife expectancy2024
39.1per 1,000 live birthsUnder-5 mortality2024
241per 100,000 live birthsMaternal mortality2023
221per 1,000 people at riskMalaria (new cases)2024
0.17per 1,000 peoplePhysicians2022
73.5 %Basic drinking water access2021
Before you travel check that:
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
There’s no central number for emergency services. Check for local medical facilities and carry contact details with you.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
At least 8 weeks before you travel:
See what health risks you’ll face in the Republic of Congo , including:
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
If you take medication, bring enough for your time in the Republic of Congo and make sure it is clearly labelled. Bring a copy of any prescription.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
Medical facilities in the country are limited, particularly in rural areas. Medical evacuation is likely to be necessary for all but the most basic treatments. If you become ill while in the Republic of Congo or straight after leaving the country, get immediate medical advice.
Make sure you have adequate travel and medical insurance to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation; this should specifically include the very high costs of evacuation by air ambulance.
FCDO has a list of medical providers in the Republic of Congo where some staff will speak English.
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
Passport Index Data (passportindex.org), MIT licence. Indicative, for a tourist stay; always check with the embassy or consulate. (17 February 2026)
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Congo’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in the Republic of Congo set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Republic of Congo Embassy in the UK.
Telephone: 0203 691 5979
Email: [email protected]
Address: 83 Victoria Street, London, SW1H OHW
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. No additional period of validity is needed.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
You must have a visa to enter the Republic of Congo.
Apply for a visa before you travel. Contact the Republic of Congo Embassy in the UK for more information.
To pass border control in the Republic of Congo, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had:
For more details about health entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Republic of Congo guide.
Travellers arriving in the Republic of Congo may be subject to enhanced health screening measures due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak centred in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Check entry requirements for the country you’re travelling to or transiting.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the Republic of Congo. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Before you arrive, register with the coordination bodies: they share alerts, cluster meetings and useful contacts.
Clusters: health, nutrition, protection, WASH, food security, shelter, education, logistics, emergency telecommunications and CCCM. OCHA publishes their meetings and contacts in each country where they are activated.
Organisations hiring in the country, based on open jobs on the site:
Violence over the last 3 months, jobs and passages of official advice that mention the region.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
There have been reports of crime, particularly opportunistic crime such as pickpocketing, particularly in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, and criminals may target foreigners.
Take care of your belongings, particularly in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire. To reduce your personal risk:
No organised violence recorded over the period.
FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the Republic of Congo-Central African Republic border in Likouala Region.
FCDO advises against all travel within 50km of the Republic of Congo-Central African Republic (CAR) border in Likouala Region.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
There have been reports of crime, particularly opportunistic crime such as pickpocketing, particularly in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, and criminals may target foreigners.
Take care of your belongings, particularly in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire. To reduce your personal risk:
No organised violence recorded over the period.
The Pool Region has historically been an area of conflict between Government Forces and the Ninja insurgent group. Live conflict has not been reported since both parties signed a ceasefire agreement in 2017. Violent clashes could arise again with little or no notice in response to political events. Be vigilant for reports of local unrest.
Criminals may target your car. Take extra precautions against criminals targeting your vehicle, especially when travelling outside urban centres and anywhere in the Pool Region and Mouyondzi District. Reduce the risk of carjacking and break-ins by:
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
This briefing gathers public information to prepare a mission. It does not replace your organisation's security analysis, your security focal point's instructions or the country's authorities.