Afobe also qualified to represent DR Congo through his parents. He was called up to the DR Congo national team, for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Angola in March 2016. In November 2016, Afobe revealed that he had not yet been able to make an appearance for DR Congo due to a hold up with the paperwork. In January 2017, Afobe pulled out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations to focus on breaking into the starting XI at Bournemouth.