The Economic Note for the first quarter of 2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the Republic of Congo's macroeconomic performance during the period January-March 2026. It highlights that real GDP grew by 3.8% year-on-year, driven mainly by expansion in the oil and extractive sectors, while the non-oil economy showed modest gains of 1.5%. Inflation remained contained at 2.9% thanks to stable food prices and controlled exchange rates. Fiscal indicators reveal a primary deficit of 1.8% of GDP, narrower than the 2.5% target, reflecting prudent expenditure management and increased revenue collection from customs duties. Public debt stood at 38.4% of GDP at the end of March, up slightly from the previous quarter due to new borrowing for infrastructure projects, but still within the sustainable threshold of 50% set by the Ministry of Finance. The note also underscores the government's commitment to diversifying the economy, with investments in agriculture, renewable energy, and vocational training aimed at reducing dependence on hydrocarbon revenues. Risks identified include external debt sustainability pressures, volatile commodity prices, and the need for structural reforms to improve the business climate. The report concludes with a positive outlook for the remainder of 2026, projecting GDP growth of 4.2% assuming stable oil production and successful implementation of fiscal consolidation measures.