DRC government implements reforms to boost local production and trade

The Suminwa II Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has outlined key economic reforms aimed at protecting domestic industry and reducing reliance on imports. Foreign Trade Minister Julien Paluku Kahongya reported that safeguard measures are currently in place for 17 local products, including cement, tiles, electrical cables, and mining coal, to combat dumping and preserve local jobs.

To modernize trade, the government has ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and is working to reserve small-scale commerce for Congolese citizens by September 2026. International trade milestones include the country's readmission to AGOA and new agreements with the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. Notably, Congolese exports to the United States are projected to have risen from $280 million in 2020 to $1.2 billion by 2026.

Simultaneously, National Economy Minister Daniel Mukoko Samba is focusing on revitalizing domestic production basins to address dependencies on imported food such as maize, rice, fish, and meat. Key initiatives include the Bumba rice project involving 30,000 farmers, maize production in South Ubangi, and the relaunch of the Ngandajika agricultural station. The government is also utilizing the Economic Regulation Fund (FOREC) to support these sectors and stabilize food prices, such as maize in the Grand Katanga region.