Shopify agency for brands in the DR Congo
Practical Shopify stores for Congolese brands: mobile money checkout, prices in dollars or francs, French-language content and delivery planned around a very large country.
Shopify experts for DR Congo brands
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of Africa’s largest countries by population and area, but online shopping is still early and concentrated in cities such as Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Goma. Most people pay with mobile money or cash, often in US dollars, and discover products through Facebook, WhatsApp and TikTok. Roads between cities are limited, so delivery is mostly local, and goods often travel between regions by air.
BOOST STAR Experts builds Shopify stores for Congolese fashion, beauty, food and electronics brands that want a proper online catalogue and ordering system. We set up French storefronts, mobile money and cash on delivery options, dual-currency pricing and city delivery zones. For brands with customers in Belgium, France or elsewhere in the diaspora, we help plan a separate market with suitable payments and shipping.
Selling online in the DR Congo: what your store needs
Mobile money and US dollars
M-Pesa from Vodacom, Orange Money and Airtel Money are the main digital payment methods, and many wallets hold balances in both US dollars and Congolese francs. Card use is low and international gateways rarely serve Congolese businesses, so stores combine mobile money payments, often confirmed manually, with cash on delivery.
TVA, customs and digital rules
The standard TVA (VAT) rate is 16%, collected by the tax authority (DGI), and imports pass through customs, which adds cost to imported stock. The Digital Code adopted in 2023 includes rules on electronic commerce and personal data. Local advice is needed on registration, but we build stores that show prices and terms clearly.
Local delivery in a vast country
Most online sellers deliver within one city using motorbike couriers or their own drivers. Sending goods between Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and the east usually means air freight, which is costly, and some areas are hard to reach. DHL Express handles international parcels. We set up delivery zones, fees and realistic times for each city you serve.
French content and social selling
French is the language of commerce and of most online content, while Lingala in Kinshasa and Swahili in the east help social posts feel local. Facebook, WhatsApp and TikTok drive discovery, and customers often ask questions before buying. Fashion and beauty are strong categories, shaped by Kinshasa’s music and style culture.
Payments, delivery and compliance in the DR Congo
- M-Pesa (Vodacom)
- Orange Money
- Airtel Money
- Cash on delivery (USD or CDF)
- Bank transfer
- Motorbike couriers
- In-house city delivery
- Domestic air freight between cities
- DHL Express (international)
- TVA 16% (DGI)
- Digital Code (Code du numérique)
- Customs duties on imports
- Clear pricing in USD or CDF
Shopify agency services across the DR Congo
Industries we help in the DR Congo
Working together
Kinshasa is 4.5 hours behind India and Lubumbashi or Goma 3.5 hours behind. We hold calls in your morning and early afternoon, and send a written update in French or English when our day ends.
Time zone: WAT (UTC+1) in Kinshasa and the west; CAT (UTC+2) in the east. Currency: CDF (FC, Congolese franc); USD widely used. Languages: French, Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba.
How we work
Discovery call
We learn your goals, catalogue, tech stack and market, then agree what success looks like.
Audit & roadmap
A store, SEO and competitor audit turns into a prioritised roadmap with a timeline and fixed quote.
Design & build
UX, design and development in sprints, with a private preview store you review at every step.
Launch
QA across devices, redirects, tracking and a planned go-live with no downtime.
Grow
SEO, CRO and paid campaigns compound results month after month, with clear reporting.
Ongoing support
A dedicated team for fixes, new features and seasonal campaigns when you need them.
Frequently asked questions
Can customers pay with mobile money on a Shopify store?
Yes. We add mobile money as a payment option with clear instructions for M-Pesa, Orange Money or Airtel Money, and your team confirms payment before dispatch. Where a local aggregator offers an integration your business can use, we connect it so payments are recorded automatically.
Should we show prices in dollars or Congolese francs?
Many Congolese stores price in US dollars because it is stable and widely used, with francs shown for smaller items or on request. We can set the store currency to dollars and add notes or a converter for francs. The choice depends on your products and customers’ habits.
Can we sell to the Congolese diaspora in Belgium and France?
Yes, with a separate setup. Customers in Europe expect euro prices, card payments and reasonable delivery times. Many brands work with a partner in Brussels or Paris who holds stock and ships locally. We build that market in Shopify once the business arrangement is in place.
Which language should our store use?
French is the safest choice for the store itself, since it is used across the country and by the diaspora. Lingala or Swahili phrases work well in social posts and WhatsApp messages. We write natural French product content and plan SEO around the terms Congolese shoppers use.
How do you work with clients in the DR Congo?
We work remotely from India, 3.5 to 4.5 hours ahead depending on your province. Calls take place in your morning, and tasks are tracked on a shared board with written updates in French or English. We do not have a local office, and we plan around connectivity issues.