The National Road Maintenance Fund (FONER) has extended the deadline for filing declarations related to the annual axle load fee. Initially set for September 30, 2025, the deadline has been moved to November 30, 2025, the agency said in a statement issued in Kinshasa on September 29.

FONER said the decision responds to concerns raised by taxpayers. It added that transporters who have not received proof of their declaration by November 30 must contact the nearest FONER office.

Once the deadline passes, FONER will immediately launch an inspection campaign to verify submissions, correct errors or omissions, and impose assessments where necessary.

The axle load fee is mandated under Article 16 of the July 7, 2008, law that created FONER, and detailed in a March 6, 2009, inter-ministerial decree. It applies to vehicles with a payload above 3.5 tonnes, at rates of $185 for two-axle vehicles, $270 for three-axle vehicles, and $340 for articulated trucks.

Created in 2008, FONER finances road maintenance through several levies, including the axle load fee, intended to offset damage caused by heavy trucks. Although provided for since 2009, the fee had not been effectively collected. In its 2022 annual report, published in June 2024, FONER still listed it among uncollected revenue sources.

Ronsard Luabeya 

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has begun paving the Kwilu-Ngongoy-Kimpangu road in Kongo-Central province. The project covers 96 kilometers of two-lane road and includes administrative and logistics facilities, such as a dry port in Kimpangu and new buildings for customs and the border post with Angola.

The project is worth $160.38 million and will be carried out by the Chinese consortium CRBC-TECNOVIA, which will finance 80% of the cost. The Congolese government will provide the remaining 20%. Construction is scheduled to take 24 months.

The Kwilu-Ngongo-Kimpangu stretch, until now unpaved, is a strategic trade link with Angola and a vital route for several Kongo-Central localities. Often impassable during the rainy season, it is expected to boost cross-border trade and stimulate the local economy once modernized.

This project is part of a broader effort to modernize key roads connecting the DRC and Angola. On September 29, 2025, the paving of the Moanda-Yema road was inaugurated, while work continues on the Mbuji-Mayi–Kananga–Kalamba-Mbuji route, which also includes a dry port at Kalamba-Mbuji on the Angolan border.

PM

The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) announced on September 30, 2025, that the Namibian consulate in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is now issuing visas to Congolese citizens. The move is a milestone for the WBCG, which successfully lobbied for the consulate’s opening in November 2023.

The WBCG manages the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor (WBNLDC), a 2,690-kilometer trade route linking Lubumbashi to the port of Walvis Bay, Namibia, with a transit time of four to five days. The corridor is a lifeline for copper and cobalt exports from the DRC’s Katanga belt and a cornerstone of Namibia’s economy.

Until now, Congolese citizens, especially truck drivers, had to travel to Namibian embassies in Lusaka or Kinshasa to obtain visas, a requirement that acted as a non-tariff barrier, slowing transit and reducing the corridor’s competitiveness compared to other Southern African Development Community (SADC) routes.

The new visa service is expected to strengthen Walvis Bay’s position against the Lobito Corridor in Angola, which has strong backing from the United States and the European Union. Lobito offers a shorter route to the Atlantic through Luau on the Congolese border and could draw away significant mining traffic. Operators such as Kamoa Copper, which runs Africa’s largest copper mine, have already announced plans to increase exports via Lobito.

Challenges remain. The Walvis Bay route continues to suffer congestion at the Kasumbalesa border post between the DRC and Zambia. To ease the bottleneck, the WBCG is promoting the Kolwezi-Solwezi route, which would bypass Kasumbalesa through an alternative crossing. Road upgrades and new dry ports are under construction to reduce logistics costs and delays.

These efforts fit into broader SADC plans to harness the mining potential of the Copperbelt. As landlocked countries, both the DRC and Zambia depend heavily on neighbors’ infrastructure, particularly since the DRC’s own port of Banana remains poorly accessible, nearly 2,670 km from the mining zones.

Founded in 2000 as a public-private partnership, the WBCG’s mission is to promote and manage Namibia’s corridors, linking Walvis Bay and Lüderitz to regional markets. By connecting Walvis Bay to the mining areas of Zambia and southeastern DRC, the WBNLDC facilitates mineral exports to the Atlantic as well as imports of consumer goods, mining equipment, and agricultural inputs.

Timothée Manoke. 

Le gouvernement de la République démocratique du Congo a lancé le bitumage de la route Kwilu–Ngongo–Kimpangu, dans la province du Kongo-Central. Le projet prévoit la construction d’une route à deux voies sur un tronçon de 96 km, accompagnée d’infrastructures administratives et logistiques, notamment un port sec à Kimpangu ainsi que des bâtiments pour la douane et le poste-frontière avec l’Angola.

Évalué à 160,38 millions de dollars, le chantier sera réalisé par le consortium d’entreprises chinoises CRBC–TECNOVIA, qui assurera également 80 % du financement. Les 20 % restants seront pris en charge par l’État congolais. La durée d’exécution est fixée à 24 mois.

Jusqu’ici en terre, ce tronçon stratégique pour les échanges avec l’Angola et la desserte de plusieurs localités du Kongo-Central est souvent impraticable, surtout en saison des pluies. Sa modernisation devrait donc renforcer les échanges commerciaux entre les deux pays et stimuler l’économie locale.

Ce lancement s’inscrit dans une dynamique plus large de modernisation des routes reliant la RDC à l’Angola. Le 29 septembre 2025, le bitumage de la route Moanda–Yema a été inauguré, tandis que la route Mbuji-Mayi–Kananga–Kalamba-Mbuji est également en chantier. Ce dernier axe comprend la création d’un port sec à Kalamba-Mbuji, à la frontière avec l’Angola.

PM

Lire aussi :

Corridor RDC-Angola : les travaux d’asphaltage de la route Moanda–Yema lancés

Le Fonds national d’entretien routier (FONER) a annoncé le report de la date limite de dépôt des déclarations relatives à la redevance annuelle sur la charge à l’essieu. Initialement fixée au 30 septembre 2025, l’échéance est désormais repoussée au 30 novembre 2025, selon un communiqué signé le 29 septembre à Kinshasa.

Cette décision répond aux préoccupations exprimées par les assujettis, a indiqué la direction générale du FONER. Elle précise que les transporteurs n’ayant pas reçu la preuve de déclaration d’ici au 30 novembre devront se présenter auprès du service compétent le plus proche pour l’obtenir. Passé ce délai, une campagne de contrôle sera immédiatement lancée afin de vérifier les informations transmises, de corriger les déclarations inexactes ou incomplètes et, le cas échéant, d’appliquer des taxations d’office.

Prévue à l’article 16 de la loi du 7 juillet 2008 portant création du FONER et détaillée par l’arrêté interministériel du 6 mars 2009, cette redevance concerne les véhicules dont le poids utile excède 3,5 tonnes. Les montants sont fixés à 185 dollars pour les véhicules à deux essieux, 270 dollars pour ceux à trois essieux, et 340 dollars pour les véhicules articulés.

Créé en 2008, le FONER a pour mission de financer l’entretien des routes à travers plusieurs redevances, dont celle sur la charge à l’essieu, destinée à compenser la dégradation causée par le transport de marchandises. Bien que prévue depuis 2009, cette redevance n’avait jamais été effectivement perçue. Elle figurait encore, dans le rapport annuel 2022 du FONER publié en juin 2024, parmi les ressources inactives de l’institution.

Ronsard Luabeya 

Lire aussi :

Kongo Central : vers l’application de la taxe sur les camions à fort tonnage 

Le Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) a annoncé, le 30 septembre 2025, que le consulat de Namibie à Lubumbashi délivre désormais des visas aux citoyens congolais. Cette décision constitue une nouvelle avancée pour le WBCG, après son plaidoyer ayant conduit à l’ouverture du consulat en novembre 2023.

Le WBCG gère le Walvis Bay – Ndola – Lubumbashi Development Corridor (WBNLDC), un axe stratégique de 2 690 km reliant Lubumbashi au port de Walvis Bay, en Namibie, avec un temps de transit estimé entre quatre et cinq jours. Ce corridor joue un rôle central dans l’évacuation des minerais issus de la riche ceinture minière du Katanga, productrice de cuivre et de cobalt, et constitue un pilier de l’économie namibienne.

Jusqu’ici, les citoyens congolais, notamment les chauffeurs empruntant le corridor, devaient se rendre à l’ambassade de Namibie à Lusaka ou à Kinshasa pour obtenir un visa. Cette contrainte constituait une barrière non tarifaire au commerce transfrontalier, rallongeait les délais et réduisait la compétitivité du corridor par rapport aux autres ports de sortie de la Communauté de développement d'Afrique australe (SADC).

La délivrance de visas à Lubumbashi devrait donc renforcer l’attractivité de Walvis Bay face au corridor de Lobito en Angola, perçu par Windhoek comme un concurrent sérieux. Soutenu par les États-Unis et l’Union européenne, le corridor de Lobito propose un itinéraire plus direct vers l’Atlantique via Luau, à la frontière congolaise, et pourrait capter une part importante des flux miniers transitant aujourd’hui par Walvis Bay. Des opérateurs comme Kamoa Copper, exploitant la plus grande mine de cuivre d’Afrique, ont déjà annoncé leur intention d’augmenter leurs expéditions via Lobito.

Outre la question des visas, le corridor de Walvis Bay reste confronté à la congestion du poste frontalier de Kasumbalesa, entre la RDC et la Zambie. Pour y remédier, le consortium mise sur l’axe Kolwezi–Solwezi, qui offrira un passage alternatif par un autre poste frontalier. Des travaux routiers et la construction de ports secs sont en cours sur cet axe, afin de contourner Kasumbalesa et de réduire les délais et les coûts logistiques.

Ces initiatives s’inscrivent dans un contexte régional plus large, où les projets de la SADC cherchent à tirer parti du potentiel minier du Copperbelt (RDC et Zambie). En raison de leur enclavement, ces pays dépendent fortement des infrastructures de leurs voisins, alors que le port congolais de Banana, situé à près de 2 670 km des zones minières, reste difficilement accessible faute de routes modernes.

Créé en 2000 en Namibie sous forme de partenariat public-privé, le WBCG a pour mission de promouvoir et de gérer les corridors reliant les ports de Walvis Bay et de Lüderitz aux pays de la région. Son objectif est de positionner la Namibie comme un hub logistique régional, en facilitant le commerce transfrontalier, en réduisant les coûts et en accélérant les délais de transit. Le WBNLDC, en reliant Walvis Bay aux zones minières de la Zambie et du sud-est de la RDC, joue ainsi un rôle clé dans l’exportation des minerais vers l’Atlantique, tout en facilitant l’importation de biens de consommation et d’intrants miniers et agricoles.

Timothée Manoke. 

Lire aussi :

Likasi–Solwezi: une route de 230 millions $ pour fluidifier le commerce RDC–Zambie

Route Kolwezi-Sakabinda : 53,6 km à livrer en 2027 pour 159 millions $

Corridor de Lobito : plus 400 millions $ pour réhabiliter la ligne Dilolo–Kolwezi–Tenke

Autoroute Banana - Kinshasa : un corridor stratégique vers l’Atlantique en gestation

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Ministry of Foreign Trade announced a new digital platform for processing and renewing import-export numbers, effective October 5, 2025.

The innovation centralizes all applications through the Integrated Single Window for Foreign Trade (GUICE), the ministry stated in a communique published on October 1, 2025.

In the DRC, engaging in import and export trade requires registration and approval from the Foreign Trade Department. The import-export number is valid for one calendar year and must be renewed no later than March 31 of the following year.

The communique, signed by Ministry Secretary-General Jules Muilu, emphasized that the platform is intended to reduce the time and costs associated with trade procedures. It is also designed to enhance transparency, strengthen the traceability of operations, and guarantee unified access to all connected services of the SEGUCE (Société d’exploitation du guichet unique du commerce extérieur) online platform.

Prior to its deployment, the new import-export number management system underwent a pilot phase, which included technical and administrative adjustments. The Ministry of Foreign Trade stated that this step allowed the system to be reliable and effective while involving key stakeholders in the sector.

The initiative is part of broader government reforms aimed at facilitating commercial exchanges and is based on Decree No. 15/019 of October 15, 2015, which established GUICE.

Ronsard Luabeya 

The Democratic Republic of Congo has raised the employer contribution rate to the National Employment Office (ONEM) from 0.2% to 0.5%, a measure intended to bolster the agency’s finances and expand its services.

The decree, signed by Employment and Labor Minister Ferdinand Massamba wa Massamba on Sept. 24, 2025, requires all employers — including the state and humanitarian organizations — to remit 0.5% of total monthly payroll to ONEM. The 2018 regulation had set the contribution at 0.2%.

ONEM is the public body responsible for managing the labor market, including job placement, training initiatives, employment statistics and compliance of labor contracts with national law. The institution has faced financial difficulties, particularly in eastern regions where insecurity and M23 rebel occupation have disrupted contribution collection.

The new decree also introduces penalties. Employers who fail to provide required documents during inspections may face tax reassessments imposed by inspectors. In addition, unpaid contributions before Sept. 24, along with related penalties, will be recalculated under the new rate.

ONEM’s management, under new leadership since July 2023, has launched a recovery plan that includes raising staff salaries, improving working conditions and expanding activities. The agency intends to use the additional employer contributions to fund new offices in universities, territories and communes nationwide. Initial effects of the measure are expected from Oct. 1, 2025.

The reforms support President Félix Tshisekedi’s pledge to create 6.4 million jobs by 2028, with ONEM tasked to play a central role through its programs and services.

Timothée Manoke.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has begun construction of a 24-km road linking the coastal city of Moanda in Kongo Central province to Yema on the Angolan border.

Prime Minister Judith Suminwa launched the project on Sept. 29. It is being built by Congolese firm Vaste Réseau des Services au Congo (VRSC) under the supervision of the Agency for Major Works (ACGT) and is expected to take two years.

The works include paving the road, installing two toll and weigh stations, and building a dry port at Yema on the Angolan side.

The Moanda-Yema route is the second DRC-Angola corridor under modernization. Work is also ongoing on the Mbuji-Mayi–Kananga–Kalamba-Mbuji road, where a new dry port is planned. Both projects aim to ease commercial flows between the two countries.

BK

North Kivu’s military governor, Maj. Gen. Kakule Somo Évariste, has suspended charcoal production in Mayangose, Beni territory, after tensions flared between farmers and eco-guards from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN).

The ICCN accuses farmers of clearing land inside Virunga National Park. In retaliation, eco-guards destroyed more than 20 hectares of crops, sparking conflict with local communities.

Governor Somo said a commission will be set up to investigate. Farming will be allowed to continue in the meantime to avoid further clashes, according to local chief Mwami Atsu Taibo Alphonse.

Illegal logging and charcoal production have long fueled disputes in Beni. In February 2025, authorities reported widespread exploitation in Mayangose and other areas, prompting a ban on harvesting timber, charcoal, bark and other forest products.

Military administrator Col. Euta Omeonga Charles reminded operators that forestry activities must comply with the 2002 Forestry Code, which requires permits, licenses and registration of equipment. Violators face legal sanctions.

‎Ronsard Luabeya