Title: The modernization of the Kasumbalesa customs post: a major step in the fight against fraud and smuggling
Introduction :
The fight against customs fraud and smuggling is one of the priorities of the President of the Republic, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In order to maximize state revenues under optimal conditions, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGDA) has undertaken the modernization of the Kasumbalesa customs post, on the border with Zambia. This initiative aims to strengthen the means of action of customs officers and speed up the processing of customs files. Let’s discover the different infrastructures put in place and the results obtained thanks to this project.
Modern infrastructure to improve customs efficiency:
The new Kasumbalesa customs post consists of a modern building of 2,600 square meters, equipped with all the equipment necessary for the services involved. In addition, an 8-kilometer reinforced concrete bypass road was built, as well as bonded warehouses, import-export parking lots and accommodation for customs officers. The objective of these infrastructures is to promote speed in the processing of customs files and to accelerate the rotation of vehicles, while improving the working conditions of agents.
A fruitful collaboration with the Congolese private sector:
The DGDA carried out this project thanks to a partnership with the company TRAFIGO SARL, managed by Madame Magalie Kayitesa Raway, a Congolese entrepreneur. This collaboration made it possible to mobilize the capital necessary for the construction of the infrastructure, which has been fully reimbursed to date. TRAFIGO SARL has implemented a reliable and secure system, based on efficient payment traceability software, integrated into the banking system. Thanks to this collaboration, 100% of Kasumbalesa border users now use the electronic device to pay crossing fees.
Concrete results in maximizing customs revenue:
The implementation of the anti-sinking system has enabled the DGDA to see a significant increase in its customs revenue. On average, these increased by 700 to 1,000% in the first year. This system includes a management policy focused on ethics and training of human resources, as well as total transparency in the collection of taxes and user fees. Thanks to this secure channeling of state revenue, the Kasumbalesa customs post actively contributes to the development of the region and facilitates cross-border trade.
An exemplary and encouraging Congolese experience:
The success of this initiative demonstrates the effectiveness of the public-private partnership in the modernization of customs infrastructure. In addition, it highlights the importance of promoting Congolese female entrepreneurship, as highlighted by President Tshisekedi during his visit to Kasumbalesa. This experience could serve as a model for other customs posts in the sub-region, in order to fight more effectively against fraud and smuggling, and maximize state revenue.
Conclusion :
The modernization of the Kasumbalesa customs post on the border between DR Congo and Zambia constitutes a major step in the fight against customs fraud and smuggling. Modern infrastructure, combined with a reliable and secure system, has enabled the DGDA to improve the efficiency of its operations and considerably increase customs revenue. This successful experience, supported by a public-private partnership, demonstrates the importance of modernizing customs infrastructure and promoting female entrepreneurship. It encourages the replication of this approach in other customs posts, in order to strengthen the fight against fraud and maximize State revenue.