The Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania are seeking to deepen energy cooperation, focusing on fuel distribution, oil exploration and efforts to curb fraud in transit petroleum shipments.

The issue was discussed on May 7 in Dodoma during a meeting between Congolese Hydrocarbons Minister Acacia Bandubola and Tanzanian Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi.

According to DR Congo’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons, the talks covered technical cooperation, oil exploration, joint development of Lake Tanganyika’s oil potential and measures to protect state revenues from downstream petroleum activities.

Fraud concerns along the southern corridor

The initiative comes after repeated warnings from Bandubola over irregularities linked to fuel imports through the southern corridor. In January 2026, the minister denounced a customs fraud scheme involving refined fuel products imported into Haut-Katanga province.

In a letter sent to the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGDA), Bandubola said that of nearly 2 million cubic meters of fuel imported through the corridor in 2025, only part had cleared customs properly. The alleged fraud is estimated to have caused revenue losses of nearly $800 million.

The Congolese and Tanzanian authorities did not disclose specific measures under consideration following the Dodoma meeting. They said the aim is to tighten oversight of regional fuel shipments, dismantle fraud networks and improve government revenue collection.

The meeting also addressed the development of Lake Tanganyika, which the ministry described as a shared basin with significant oil potential. Both countries said they want to coordinate their approach and use the partnership to support economic growth on both sides of the border.

Ronsard Luabeya