Finding a job in the Republic of the Congo: pay and practical leads

A 40% rise in the Congolese minimum wage

Announced at the Council of Ministers on 8 November 2024, the increase brings the SMIG to 70,400 CFA francs a month from 1 January 2025. Collective agreements providing for a lower amount must be brought into line with this new floor.

The November 2024 decree

Decree No. 2024-2762 of 20 November 2024, published in the Official Journal on 19 December 2024, sets the amount of the SMIG. It repeals the 2008 text that had governed minimum pay for employees until then.

How many unemployed in Congo-Brazzaville?

In November 2024 Agence Ecofin cited unemployment of nearly 42% according to the World Bank, with young people particularly affected. This figure may refer to young people or to a broad definition, so use it with caution.

Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, cities of unemployment

The 2005 ECOM survey, quoted by the ILO, measured unemployment at 32.6% in Brazzaville and 31.5% in Pointe-Noire, against 5.8% in rural areas. These old data show how fierce the competition for salaried posts is in the cities.

Two cities that concentrate the population

In 2007 the two cities were home to 56.4% of the total population and 91.4% of urban residents. Brazzaville is the administrative capital, while Pointe-Noire, a port city, is geared towards oil activity and its service providers.

Oil and timber, the main sources of revenue

Oil and timber are the country's two leading products, and forest covers almost 60% of the territory. Our page on oil and mining careers describes the qualifications that operators expect from candidates.

Avenues for diversification

The ILO cites agriculture, tourism, industry, iron ore mining and forestry as areas for diversification. Construction depends heavily on public procurement. See also agricultural openings for technical profiles in rural areas.

Civil service: recruitment held back

The freeze on public sector recruitment is cited by the ILO among the causes of unemployment. A bill also sets the retirement age between 57 and 70 depending on the category, but its final adoption still needs to be verified.

The Agence congolaise pour l'emploi (ACPE)

Created by Law No. 7-2019 of 9 April 2019, the ACPE had its statutes approved by decree in July 2019. It most likely succeeds the former ONEMO. Its official website has not been found, so enquire directly at its offices.

Labour code and reference texts

The labour code is based on Law No. 45-75 of 1975, and the general civil service statute on Law No. 68-2022. Statutory working hours and the permit procedure for foreign nationals have not been verified.

Recruitment firms and international vacancies in Pointe-Noire

AfricaWork has recruitment pages for the Congo and Pointe-Noire, although their activity has not been confirmed. Impactpool has advertised a United Nations post in Pointe-Noire. ReliefWeb and NGO Jobs in Africa round out the monitoring.

Kinshasa and Libreville, markets to compare

Across the river, employment in the DRC offers a larger but highly informal market. To the north-west, Gabon shares the same currency and an economy that is also geared towards oil and timber.

Employment contacts in the Congo

• Agence congolaise pour l'emploi (ACPE): Public employment service created in 2019; official website not identified to date.
• Ministère chargé du Travail: The current ministerial organisation for labour and employment has not been verified.
• Décret n° 2024-2762 sur le SMIG: NATLEX entry for the decree setting the minimum wage, published in the December 2024 Official Journal.
• AfricaWork Congo: Recruitment firm with pages dedicated to the Congo and Pointe-Noire.
• Impactpool: Platform for United Nations and NGO vacancies; a UN post in Pointe-Noire has appeared there.

Organising your job search in Congo-Brazzaville

1. Choose your base: Brazzaville for the administration and head offices, Pointe-Noire for oil and the port.
2. Contact the ACPE to find out about its services and the vacancies it passes on.
3. Target oil service companies, the timber industry, trade and business services.
4. Have your degrees certified and gather your employment references.
5. Check that the salary offered meets the SMIG of 70,400 CFA francs and the industry agreement.

Statistical benchmarks for Congo-Brazzaville

Hiring file for the Congo

• CV and cover letter
• Certified degrees
• Criminal record extract
• Identity card or passport
• Previous employment references
• For foreign nationals: visa and work authorisation following the procedure confirmed by the employer

Mistakes to avoid in Congo-Brazzaville

• Handing money to a middleman who promises a job with an oil company in Pointe-Noire: this is a widespread scam pattern.
• Accepting a salary based on the old SMIG of 50,400 CFA francs when the new floor has applied since 2025.
• Quoting the 42% rate as overall unemployment without stating that it may concern young people or a broad definition.
• Relying solely on a civil service entrance exam when public recruitment has been frozen.

Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueJob.com does not recruit and never asks for money: beware of offers that demand fees.