Database

Browse Database

CONGO

N/A

Pillar Cross-border data policies  |  Indicator Participation in trade agreements committing to open cross-border data flows
Lack of participation in agreements with binding commitments on data flows
The Republic of Congo has not joined any free trade agreement committing to open transfers of cross-border data flows.
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

Since October 2019

Pillar Domestic data policies  |  Indicator Framework for data protection
Law No. 29-2019 on the Protection of Personal Data (Loi No. 29-2019 portant protection des données à caractère personnel)
Law 29-2019 provides a comprehensive data protection regime in the Republic of the Congo. The Law provides that a Commission responsible for protecting personal data will be established through legislation in Congo. Personal data in the country is also regulated by the Cybersecurity Act of 2020.
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

Since October 2019

Pillar Domestic data policies  |  Indicator Requirement to perform a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) or have a data protection officer (DPO)
Law No. 29-2019 on the Protection of Personal Data (Loi No. 29-2019 portant protection des données à caractère personnel)
Art. 83 of Law 29-2019 stipulates the mandatory appointment of a data protection officer (DPO) under the following circumstances: when data processing is conducted by a public entity; when the nature, purpose, or characteristics of the data processing necessitate regular and systematic monitoring; or when the data processing involves large-scale processing of sensitive data.
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

N/A

Pillar Intermediary liability  |  Indicator Safe harbour for intermediaries for copyright infringement
Lack of intermediary liability framework in place for copyright infringements
A basic legal framework on intermediary liability for copyright infringement is absent in Congo's law and jurisprudence. However, some regulations, such as Law No. 9-2009 on the Electronic Communication sector and Law No. 29-2019 on the Protection of Personal, are relevant to the subject.
Coverage Internet intermediaries

CONGO

N/A

Pillar Intermediary liability  |  Indicator Safe harbour for intermediaries for any activity other than copyright infringement
Lack of intermediary liability framework in place beyond copyright infringements
A basic legal framework on intermediary liability beyond copyright infringement is absent in Congo's law and jurisprudence. However, some regulations, such as Law No. 9-2009 on the Electronic Communication sector and Law No. 29-2019 on the Protection of Personal, are relevant to the subject.
Coverage Internet intermediaries

CONGO

Since November 2009
Since November 2018

Pillar Intermediary liability  |  Indicator User identity requirement
Law No. 9-2009 of 25 November 2009 on Electronic Communication Sector (Loi No. 9-2009 du 25 Novembre 2009 Portant Réglementation du Secteur des Communications Électroniques)

Decree No. 12,524 of 14 November 2018 Granting a License to Establish and Operate a 4th Generation Mobile Network Open to the Public to the Company Airtel Congo S.A.
Art. 130 of the Electronic Communication Sector Law requires user identification for telecommunications service providers. This is to record and maintain personal information on mobile telecommunication subscribers. Decree No. 12524 clarifies that both the national identity card and the full address are required for identification.
Coverage Telecommunications services providers

CONGO

Reported in 2025

Pillar Content access  |  Indicator Presence of Internet shutdowns
Presence of Internet shutdowns
The indicator "7.2.4 - Government Internet shut down in practice" of the V-Dem Dataset, which measures whether the government has the technical capacity to actively make internet service cease, thus interrupting domestic access to the internet or whether the government has decided to do so, has a score of 2 in Congo for the year 2024. This corresponds to "The government shut down domestic access to the Internet several times this year."
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

Reported in 2021, last reported in 2023

Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Lack of transparency in customs procedures
There is reportedly arbitrary, irregular or uneven application of customs regulations at the border. In addition, a lack of understanding of the proper application and enforcement of customs regulations by government inspectors can contribute to difficulties for trading partners and investors.
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

Since November 2001

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Nationality/residency requirement for directors or managers
Law No. 8-2001 on Freedom of Information and Communication (Loi No. 8-2001 Sur la Liberté d'Information et de la Communication)
Art. 38 of Law No. 8-2001 mandates a residency requirement for the publication director of the newspapers, also online.
Coverage Newspapers, including online

CONGO

N/A

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Screening of investment and acquisitions
Minimum capital requirement to obtain a license
It is reported that different minimum capital requirements are established to obtain different types of telecom licenses:
- 10.000.000.000 F.CFA for 3G and 4G (approx. USD 15,196,000);
- 11.000.000.000 F.CFA for 2G (approx. USD 16,716,000).
Coverage Telecommunications sector

CONGO

Since February 1999, entry into force in February 2002, last amended in December 2015
Since December 2019, entry into force in March 2020

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Practical or legal restrictions related to the application process for patents
Bangui Agreement Relating to the Creation of an African Intellectual Property Organization, Constituting a Revision of the Agreement Relating to the Creation of an African and Malagasy Office of Industrial Property (Bangui (Central African Republic), 2 March 1977) (Accord de Bangui relatif à la création d'une organization Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle, constituant révision de l'Accord relatif à la création d'un Office Africain et Malgache de la Propriété Industrielle (Bangui (République centrafricaine), le 2 mars 1977)

Regulations on the profession of Authorised Agent before the African Intellectual Property Organization (Règlement sur la profession de Mandataire agréé auprès de l'organization Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle)
According to the Bangui Agreement, ratified by 17 French-speaking States, including the Republic of Congo, applicants resident outside the territory of the Member States must file through an agent selected in one of those Member States (Section III, Art. 8). The professional status of agent accredited to the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) is governed by the Regulations on the profession of Authorised Agent before the OAPI.
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

Since January 1978

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
The Republic of Congo is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

Since March 1977, as amended in December 2015, entry into force in November 2020
Since July 1982

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Copyright law with clear exceptions
Bangui Agreement Relating to the Creation of an African Intellectual Property Organization, Constituting a Revision of the Agreement Relating to the Creation of an African and Malagasy Office of Industrial Property (Bangui (Central African Republic), 2 March 1977) (Accord de Bangui relatif à la création d'une organization Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle, constituant révision de l'Accord relatif à la création d'un Office Africain et Malgache de la Propriété Industrielle (Bangui (République centrafricaine), le 2 mars 1977)

Law No. 24/82 of 7 July 1982 on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Loi No. 24/82 du 7 juillet 1982 sur le droit d'auteur et les droits voisins)
The Revised Bangui Agreement is a regional intellectual property law that is not only a regional convention applicable in all member states but also serves as a national intellectual property law in Congo and each of the other member states. The Revised Bangui Agreement contains provisions on copyright in Annex VII: Chapter IV (Limitations to Economic Rights) and establishes a regime of copyright exceptions. However, the exceptions do not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, therefore limiting the lawful use of copyrighted work by others. In addition, Art. 33 of Law No. 24/82 also provides for limitations on copyright.
Coverage Horizontal

CONGO

Reported in 2015, last reported in 2023

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Enforcement of copyright online
Lack of adequate enforcement of copyright online
Copyright is not adequately enforced online in the Republic of Congo. It is reported are high levels of piracy and that the Republic of Congo government computers use unlicensed software.
Coverage Software

CONGO

N/A

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Copyright Treaty
Lack of signature of the WIPO Copyright Treaty
The Republic of Congo has not signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal

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