DRC and Tanzania commit to bilateral trade agreement

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Tanzania have committed to finalizing and signing a bilateral trade agreement within 90 days. The commitment was formalized in a joint communiqué signed on September 19, 2026, in Dar es Salaam by Congolese Minister of Foreign Trade Julien Paluku Kahongya and Tanzanian Minister of Industry and Trade Judith Salvio Kapinga.

The agreement follows directives from DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan following their meeting in Zanzibar on August 18. A joint commission of experts has been established to draft the accord, which aims to boost trade and investment between the two nations.

Key areas of focus include strengthening cooperation between Congolese agencies operating in Tanzania—such as the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGDA), the Multimodal Freight Management Office, and the Center for Expertise, Evaluation, and Certification (CEEC)—and Tanzanian customs services. Additionally, both nations seek to optimize the use of the Port of Dar es Salaam, a critical transit point for Congolese mining exports, by implementing measures to reduce costs and delays in import and export procedures.