Postal History of the Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo, in central Africa, is known for its vast rainforests and the mighty Congo River.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a large country in central Africa. It has beautiful forests, powerful rivers, and lots of wildlife. Over the years, the country has changed its name a few times, and you can see these changes on its postage stamps. The DRC was once a colony controlled by Belgium, but it later became an independent country. Its stamps tell the story of its history, leaders, and natural wonders.

Stamps through the years

  • 1886 to 1908 – Congo Free State: The first stamps showed King Leopold II of Belgium because the Congo Free State was ruled by him.
  • 1908 to 1960 – Belgian Congo: After problems with the king’s rule, Belgium took control and changed the name to Belgian Congo. New stamps were issued in 1909 "Congo Belge"
  • 1960 to 1971 – Democratic Republic of the Congo: The country changed its name, and the stamps changed too, with new designs celebrating independence and the country’s own culture.
  • 1971 to 1998 – Zaire: President Mobutu renamed the country to Zaire. Stamps featured designs of the Okapi, the national animal, traditional Ngbandi attire, and portraits of Mobutu himself. The currency was also changed from the Congolese franc to the Zaire, with 1 Zaire equaling 1,000 Congolese francs.
  • 1998 to present – Democratic Republic of the Congo: After Mobutu was removed from power, the name went back to Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in 1998 stamps began to to be issued under it's new name.

Did you know?

  • The Congo River is the second longest river in Africa. It is so deep that submarines could swim in some parts! Some sections are more than 220 meters deep.
  • The highest mountain in the DRC is Mount Stanley, which is covered with ice and snow, even though it’s near the equator.
  • The DRC is one of the world’s biggest producers of cobalt, a metal used in batteries.
  • Some DRC stamps show rare animals and important parks, like Virunga National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Even though Belgium ruled the DRC, French became the official language — not Dutch or German.
  • The DRC uses the Congolese franc as its money.