The modernization of the Kasumbalesa customs post: a major step forward in the fight against fraud and smuggling
In a stated desire to fight against customs fraud and smuggling at the border, the President of the Republic Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo recently inaugurated an imposing building at the Kasumbalesa customs post, on the border with Zambia. This project, carried out by the General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA) with the support of the company TRAFIGO SARL, marks a significant step in the modernization of customs infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The new building, with an area of 2,600 square meters, houses the customs services involved and is equipped with all the operational equipment necessary to ensure effective customs control. It is also accompanied by an 8-kilometer reinforced concrete bypass road, a cross-border corridor, bonded warehouses, two import-export car parks and housing for customs officers. This modern infrastructure will speed up the processing of customs files and improve the fluidity of road traffic at the border.
The DGDA, in partnership with TRAFIGO SARL, has put in place a reliable and secure system to maximize customs revenue at the Kasumbalesa post. Thanks to this system, border users now use an electronic system to pay crossing fees, which allows the DGDA to receive payments in real time via the ASYCUDA platform.
Since the implementation of this system, customs revenues have seen a remarkable increase, increasing on average from 700 to 1,000%. This success can be explained by the use of efficient software for traceability and collection of taxes and fees, transparent procedures integrated into the banking system, as well as management focused on ethics and training of human resources. Securing state revenues in Kasumbalesa also made it possible to mobilize the necessary resources to facilitate cross-border trade and promote the development of the region.
This project is proof of a successful public-private partnership and a strong commitment to Congolese female entrepreneurship. Indeed, TRAFIGO SARL, led by Magalie Kayitesi Raway, a Congolese entrepreneur, played a crucial role in the realization of this project, with the pre-financing of the infrastructure reimbursed in full.
The modernization of the Kasumbalesa customs post is a major step forward in the fight against fraud and smuggling in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It also demonstrates the importance of female entrepreneurship in the economic development of the country.. Through innovative initiatives and dynamic partnerships, the Congolese government and local economic actors continue to work together to stimulate growth and maximize state revenue.