Includes web links to local trade fair or show authorities and local newspapers, trade publications, radio/TV/cable information.
Last Published: 7/20/2017

Only a few firms in the DRC use mass advertising because it is comparatively expensive for local businesses.  For example, in Le Potentiel, a major Congolese daily, a quarter-page advertisement costs $250 and half-page is $500 for a one day print advertisement – more than most Congolese make in a month.  Billboards and street banners are a popular medium in the major cities, as are novelty items such as pens, t-shirts, caps, and pocket calendars.

Radio and television are the most effective communication outlets; all broadcasters accept paid advertising.  The radio division of the state-owned Radio-Télévision Nationale Congolaise (RTNC) has regional stations that offer a mix of local and taped national programming.  The national midday news and some special events are carried live on most stations on the network.  Broadcasts are in French and major local languages.  Privately operated FM radio stations emerged in the 1990s; private businesses and, in some cases, religious organizations are the primary operators. 

RTNC currently broadcasts television programming in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and several other cities.  Kinshasa also has more than forty private television stations, some of which have branch operations in interior cities.  In Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, private firms re-broadcast international programming to subscribers with decoders.  Like state radio, government television broadcasts both local and internationally syndicated programming, though broadcasts are frequently interrupted due to equipment failures.  Beginning in June 2015, the GDRC announced plans to transition from analog to digital broadcasting frequencies with the intent of giving viewers access to more channels and reduce subscription costs.
Since the liberalization of the DRC’s media in 1990, there has been a press boom, with most outlets linked to one or more of the DRC’s numerous political factions.  Kinshasa has daily newspapers (published five days a week) and numerous weekly papers.  Some regional capitals also have newspapers, but these are usually published sporadically.  Because newspapers are relatively expensive and copies are shared among multiple readers, total readership is higher than circulation figures indicate.  Radio remains a more accessible medium.  According to one survey, 97 percent of Kinshasa residents watch television while only 2 percent read a newspaper.  (Reliable survey research outside Kinshasa is often not available.  However, Les Experts collects reliable data for Kinshasa).  The only Kinshasa papers with any significant advertising sections are Le Palmares, La Référence Plus, Le Phare, L’Avenir, Le Potentiel, and L’Observateur. DRC’s business press is limited.  Numerica and La Bourse are weekly newspapers devoted primarily to economic affairs, but carry little advertising.  Some companies, NGOs, and chambers of commerce publish informative newsletters and may be receptive to external advertising.

Kinshasa also has a month-long annual trade fair, usually held in July, called FIKIN (Foire Internationale de Kinshasa).  Participants benefit from the receipt of promotional prices when buying services and products during the FIKIN trade fair.
Fikin e-mail address:  fikin@yahoo.fr

Newspaper websites:-
L’Avenir:  

Television and radio station websites: Online news sites:

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