Reality Brief: Pointe-Noire

Current alerts

• Ebola-related health screening

  Enhanced health screening may apply on arrival because of the Ebola outbreak centred in the DRC.

  Published on June 2, 2026 · GOV.UK (FCDO), Republic of the Congo travel advice: entry requirements

Alerts checked on October 2, 2026 against the sources cited.

Essentials before you arrive

• A visa obtained before departure is compulsory: no visa is issued on arrival. Apply and pay online, through the Congolese embassy in your country of residence.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Republic of the Congo travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Republic of the CongoSPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Republic of the Congo: practical informationGuide: Entry and residence

• An accommodation certificate issued by a district town hall in Congo, or a paid hotel booking, is required for the visa and must be shown at entry.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, entry and residenceGuide: Entry and residence

• Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory from 9 months of age, at least 10 days before departure, at an approved centre; the international certificate is checked at entry.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, entry and residenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, healthGOV.UK (FCDO), Republic of the Congo travel advice: entry requirementsCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Republic of the CongoGuide: Entry and residence

• In town, carry a photocopy of your passport including the visa page. For any trip between towns, take the original: failing to show it can mean a fine or up to 72 hours in custody.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, safetyGuide: Entry and residence

• Insurance covering care, hospitalisation and repatriation is essential: without it, you may be refused care, even in an emergency.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, healthSPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Republic of the Congo: practical informationGuide: Health

• Malaria is present. Prevention combines protection against bites and preventive treatment prescribed by a doctor. Any fever during the stay or after your return requires prompt medical attention.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, healthCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Republic of the CongoGuide: Health

• Police: 117 (national number). Canada also lists the fire brigade on 118. The UK notes there is no central number for all emergencies and that numbers are unreliable.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, safetyGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Republic of the CongoGOV.UK (FCDO), Republic of the Congo travel advice: getting helpGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), pegged to the euro. The economy is mainly cash-based; euros are often accepted in town, but change is given in CFA francs.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: Republic of the CongoSPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Republic of the Congo: practical informationGuide: Money and banking

Living in Pointe-Noire

• In Pointe-Noire, avoid at all times the beach south of the old wharf, outlying districts and night-time traffic in the centre (speeding, drink-driving).

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Do not swim in the rapids of the Congo river, its tributaries or waterfalls. In Pointe-Noire the ocean can be dangerous and beaches are unsupervised.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Do not carry large sums or valuables and leave nothing visible in the car.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, safetyGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Republic of the CongoGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Accidents are very frequent. Between towns: no public transport, no night driving, a convoy of at least two vehicles, a satellite phone advised. Crossing the Mayombe towards Dolisie is dangerous in the rain.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Republic of the Congo travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The Pointe-Noire-Brazzaville passenger train is strongly advised against until rehabilitation works are completed.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, useful informationGuide: Getting around

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (78), clinics (49), hospitals (18). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (22), supermarkets (42). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (60), cash machines (2), currency exchange (4), money transfer (20). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (21). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (14). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.

• Tip

  Consulates in the city

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): consulates (3). Note the address of your country's consulate or the nearest embassy.

• Police emergency

  National police number.

  117

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, safetyGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo· Oct 2, 2026

• Consulate General of France in Pointe-Noire

  Passport: France

  Consular services for French nationals in the south.

  4 allée de Makimba, Pointe-Noire

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, entry and residence· Oct 2, 2026

• Clinique Guénin

  Private clinic, open 24/7.

  Proche du rond-point Kassaï, centre-ville, Pointe-Noire+242 05 575 67 73+242 05 575 25 46

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Clinique Netcare

  Private clinic.

  Avenue Georges Dumond, centre-ville, Pointe-Noire+242 06 679 39 11+242 06 660 25 25

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Embassy of Canada in RDC (covering Republic of the Congo)

  Passport: Canada

  Canada has no office in Congo; consular assistance is provided from Kinshasa.

  17, avenue Pumbu, commune de la Gombe, Kinshasa (RDC)+243 996 021 500knsha@international.gc.ca

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo· Oct 2, 2026