The depreciation of the national currency, the Congolese Franc (Fc), is, according to some observers, the cause of the price increase for several consumer products in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC.

For example, a 50 kg bag of sugar that was sold a few days ago for 168,000 FC is now trading at 170,000 Fc. A 25 Kg bag of rice that sold for 72,000 Fc has gone up to 75,000 Fc. A 20 Kg bag of wheat flour that sold for 52,5000 Fc now costs 55,000 Fc.

A 25 Kg bag of maize is selling today for 46,000 Fc compared to 44,000 a few days ago.

The pack of pure water with 20 pieces that cost 1,300 FC now costs 1,400 or 1,500 Fc. The bag or the individual piece of pure water in detail from 100 Fc is sold for 150 Fc.

Other products, especially in the brewing sector, have also experienced a surge. The crate of Turbo dark beer usually sold for 35,000 Fc has gone up to 38,000 Fc. The same goes for “Likofi.”

In the transportation sector, there is also an unspoken price increase. Without waiting for the urban authority, motorists have taken it upon themselves under the pretext that the price of fuel has increased at the pump, even though the last price adjustments are months old. Bus rides from 1,000 Fc are negotiated at 1,500 or 2,000 Fc.

The population is troubled by this alarming overheating.

Boni Tsala