The official language is French but Lingala and Swahili are more widely spoken. Political instability and turmoil and lack of maintenance and investment in infrastructure since independence from Belgium have severely impacted the country's economy. Unrest has reduced government revenue and increased external debt. The country's main source of income is derived from the exploitation of its mineral and hydrocarbon resources. The local currency is the New Congo.
Congo has one of Africa's leading mining industries.
Its oil industry is also an important contributor to the country's foreign exchange earnings. Congo has an oil refinery at Kinlao-Muanda. The country has abundant hydro-electric power resources. The large majority of the population is involved in agriculture, but low prices and a poor transport system forces importation of food from other countries. The country's main export crop is coffee and cattle farming and fishing are important parts of the industry.