100TH MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ON 9 OCTOBER 2026: MATTER RELATING TO THE FOREIGN TRADE SECTOR
The Minister for Land Affairs, representing the Minister for Foreign Trade, submitted to the council for consideration and approval the proposal to optimise import and export activities in the north-eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Indeed, import and export operations in the DRC, particularly in the Grand Equateur region, are severely hampered by exorbitant logistics costs and bottlenecks that hinder the free flow of trade and affect the tax base
In response to this detrimental situation, a multi-sectoral mission was organised from 3 to 12 August 2026, visiting Yaoundé and Douala in Cameroon, Bangui in the Central African Republic, and Zongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The aim was to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the situation at the Zongo border post and along the Zongo–Bangui–Douala corridor from technical, logistical and diplomatic perspectives, in order to accurately identify all the bottlenecks hindering the free flow of trade.
The mission confirmed that the Zongo–Bangui–Douala corridor represents the most rational geostrategic alternative for opening up the north-eastern part of the DRC; this route will provide crucial access to the Atlantic Ocean and, potentially, to the Indian Ocean, positioning Zongo as a key hub.
Its realisation will involve, in particular, the construction of a 625-kilometre road linking Zongo to Bumba via Gemena, Akula and Lisala, drastically reducing current costs and journey times.
Given the vital importance of this corridor to the socio-economic development of the DRC, the Minister for Land Affairs, representing the Minister for Foreign Trade, urged members of the Government to commit themselves resolutely and in a coordinated manner to the prompt implementation of the recommendations made
Following discussion and deliberation, this proposal was adopted by the council.
MP.
