Why does the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) experience such extreme poverty despite its vast mineral wealth?

The DRC's poverty stems from two major factors. First, its brutal colonial history under Belgian rule, which pillaged resources and brutalized the population for nearly a century, creating lasting legacies that continue to impact development. Second, the country's challenging natural geography severely constrains economic growth and trade. Despite possessing mineral reserves worth approximately $24 trillion including cobalt, coltan, copper, gold, diamonds, and lithium, the DRC has a nominal GDP per capita of just $702—the 11th lowest globally. This stark contrast between extreme wealth and poverty illustrates how historical exploitation and geographical constraints have trapped the second-largest country in Africa in chronic underdevelopment.