The prices of basic necessities have continued, for several months, to rise in various markets in Kinshasa following the depreciation of the national currency, the Congolese franc, against the American currency, the dollars.
This observation was made on Thursday, May 30, by reporters from Radio Okapi, who visited several markets and other places of sale in the Congolese capital.
A bag of embers, for example, currently sells for 70,000 Congolese francs (around 25 USD), whereas some time ago, it was trading for between 35 or even 40,000 FC (around 15 USD).
This surge in prices puts several households in difficulty, as they have difficulty making ends meet.
“ The cost of living is getting higher and higher “, complain several Kinshasa women, who denounce the fact that the American dollar, this foreign currency, can be appreciated to the detriment of the Congolese franc in almost all areas of economic life in the DRC.
Even vegetable sellers say they have revised the price of their products following the depreciation of the national currency.
This situation spares no one. Even women who run small businesses say they can no longer get by, as was the case a few months ago, and they too denounce this instability and inflation which impoverish them further.
“ The rise in the American dollar is causing us a lot of problems, the State must find a solution so that we can regain economic balance. », suggested a housewife.
State civil servants are also affected by this situation.
Patrick, this exchange office owner, often receives them for various operations.
“ We receive complaints from state officials who come to buy supplies to pay their children’s school fees and others to pay the rent required in dollars. They complain that they have always bought the dollar at a certain rate and today they buy it at another, lower rate. », testified this money changer.
For many Congolese, improving the socio-economic situation remains among the priorities of the Suminwa Government which was published on Wednesday May 29.
