**DRC: Towards enlightened protectionism or a threat to trade?**
The Minister of Foreign Trade of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Julien Paluku Kahongya, recently decided to extend for one year the import restriction measures for several essential products. This initiative, which primarily concerns tiles, earthenware, electric cables and iron bars, is part of a national strategy aimed at supporting local industries and maintaining economic competitiveness in a commercial environment often beset by fraud and dumping.
This decision is part of a protectionist economic policy that, although often criticized, seems to find a favorable echo in the Congolese context. Indeed, the DRC has an industrial potential that is still too often underexploited and it is essential to stimulate local production to reduce dependence on imports.
### An economic necessity, but at what price?
While the intention to defend “made in Congo” products seems laudable, can this approach really prove beneficial without harming trade relations with neighboring countries, particularly Zambia? In August 2024, tensions between the DRC and its neighbor had peaked after the introduction of these restrictions, even leading to the temporary closure of Zambia’s borders. This type of situation could, in the long term, harm the DRC’s diplomatic and trade relations, making it essential to maintain a balance between necessary protectionism and openness to international trade.
### Local production capacity: an asset to be valued
According to official statements, tariff increases and the import ban would be justified by sufficient local production. However, what are the concrete bases for this assertion? Recent statistics from the Ministry of Commerce, in conjunction with market studies on the evolution of production in the tiles and earthenware sector, could provide greater transparency on this subject. A study conducted by internationally recognized economic institutions could also be a good lever to confirm or deny these assertions.
Also, it would be interesting to explore to what extent the arrival of new factories, such as that of Saphir Ceramics, with its investment of 100 million USD and the 6,000 jobs created, could affect the dynamics of the local economy. Thus, the building and construction sector could potentially benefit from the increased availability of local materials while stimulating the economy as a whole.
### Towards responsible and sustainable trade
However, excessive protectionism can contribute to abuses of power on the domestic market if we limit ourselves to criticizing fraud and dumping without sufficient vigilance. Windows of stopping against these practices, regulations should also include transparency measures vis-à-vis local economic actors. The establishment of a strict regulatory framework is essential to ensure not only the prosperity of local businesses but also the emergence of fair and equitable competition.
To move towards a sustainable growth model, the DRC could explore fair trade initiatives that integrate both support for local producers while keeping the doors open to foreign investors. This could include regional cooperation agreements that would benefit the DRC in terms of market access while securing the interests of its producers.
### Conclusion: a balanced approach is essential
In sum, the decision of Minister Julien Paluku Kahongya to renew import restrictions represents a pragmatic response to the contemporary challenges faced by the Congolese economy. However, a balanced and informed approach is crucial. The protection of local industries must not be to the detriment of constructive and sustainable trade relations, which are essential for the country’s economy. The trade-off between supporting national production and opening up to the international market therefore appears to be the major challenge of the current era for the DRC.
The future of Congolese trade policy must be based on factual analyses and solid economic projections, in order to support the country towards true autonomy while streamlining access to diversified products that nourish the daily lives of its citizens. Exploring new economic and commercial paradigms could provide the necessary path to harmonious and inclusive development.
**Clément MUAMBA**, Fatshimetrie.org.