Luxury and Misery in Central Africa | Money Documentary

Published: 01 January 1970
on channel: Moconomy

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Luxury and Misery in Central Africa - The DRC is one of the poorest countries on the planet with one of the highest proportions of millionaires, making fortunes in chaos.

Luxury and Misery in Central Africa (2019)
Director: Guillaume Dumant
Genre: Documentary
Country: France
Language: English
Also Known As: Congo: Millionaires Of Chaos

Synopsis:
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the largest country in Central Africa. It is six times the size of Germany and home to over 100 million people. Armed uprisings, political upheavals and violence have marked its history resulting in almost six million deaths over the last 20 years.

Considered one of the poorest countries in terms of gross domestic product, the DRC has quite a number of millionaires amongst the adult population. At the same time over 70% of the people live on less than €2 a day. And the gap keeps widening.

A wide range of people with different backgrounds makes up this growing millionaire class. Fally Ipupa is a Lamborghini-driving Congolese singing superstar. Patricia Nzolamtina owns a taxi service startup that aims to uplift the lives of its women-only drivers. Robert Seninga is the managing director of the largest mining company in the country. Energy mogul Eric Monga will soon be building a giant dam and hydroelectric powerplant. Finally, evangelist Dominique Khonde has made millions capitalizing on people's faith by selling his "Miracle Juice" cure-all.

In the capital, Kinshasa, and other parts of the country they live in gated communities usually surrounded by security, while the poor live in 15 square meter shanties, working in the mines for hours deep underground.

On paper, the DRC has what it takes to make it one of Africa's wealthiest countries. It has a young and vibrant population and it's rich in natural resources. Yet it's widely considered as a failed state. Roads are not paved, and only 1/5 of the population has access to electricity.

Historically, the DCR has had a rough last 60 years. From the 1960s to 2018, the country was ruled by Mobutu Sese Seko and followed by Joseph Kabila. It is alleged that over €17 billion have been stolen from the country by these two collectively.

Many rebel groups try to seize control of the mines prompting the UN to send 16,000 peacekeepers. The DCR is a significant source of the mineral Coltan, which is used in mobile phone micro-processors. Coltan mining is a multi-billion dollar industry. It is both a blessing and a curse to the country. A kilo is worth $45, and the mines produce 40+ tons a week, roughly about 36,000 kgs. It provides jobs for many but is also the source of major corruption.

There is massive trading in the black market, and the mines themselves are incredibly hazardous. Safety is not a concern, and child labor is rampant.

In the DCR today, there are many opportunities to help one become rich. Many non-millionaire Congolese are working hard every day. There are bread sellers, miners, fishermen, taxi drivers, and even young repatriates returning to DRC from living abroad.

Yet despite the hustle, it isn't a sure bet. Sadly, only a few profit from these natural resources. Only those who are determined - and those who have seemingly questionable morals - will have what it takes to be a millionaire.

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