Have you heard about the new modern building constructed at the Kasumbalesa border? This impressive building was inaugurated by President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo as part of his fight against customs fraud and smuggling. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the era of border crossing modernization in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This new building, with an area of 2,600 square meters, houses brand new customs services, equipped with all the necessary equipment to ensure efficient customs operations in Kasumbalesa. But that’s not all. Customs infrastructure also includes an 8-kilometer reinforced concrete bypass road, a cross-border corridor, bonded warehouses, two large parking lots that can accommodate up to 1,500 trucks, as well as accommodation for customs officers.
The modernization of this border post will speed up the processing of customs files and optimize vehicle flows. The General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA) took charge of this project using its own capital, thanks to a partnership with the Congolese company TRAFIGO SARL, managed by Madame Magalie Kayitesa Raway.
The system put in place by TRAFIGO SARL is a concrete example of maximizing customs revenue. Thanks to efficient software for traceability and collection of various taxes and fees, combined with transparent procedures integrated into the banking system, the DGDA has succeeded in increasing its revenues spectacularly. Indeed, from the first year of implementation, revenues increased on average by 700 to 1,000%. An impressive result which testifies to the effectiveness of this 100% Congolese system.
This initiative is not only an example of the fight against customs fraud, but also a real success for Congolese female entrepreneurship. Magalie Kayitesa Raway was able to meet this challenge by benefiting from the support of local banks, which financed the infrastructure with their own funds, repaid in full to date.
The inauguration of this new building and the effectiveness of the customs revenue maximization system demonstrate the commitment of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo to the modernization of border posts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A clear vision combined with tangible results, which will benefit all stakeholders and which could serve as a model for other customs posts.
In conclusion, the modernization of the Kasumbalesa border post is a significant step forward in the fight against customs fraud and the maximization of state revenue. Thanks to an effective public-private partnership and Congolese female entrepreneurship, high-quality infrastructure has been put in place, making it possible to optimize customs operations and facilitate cross-border trade.. An example to follow to guarantee economic development and border security throughout the region.