The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched a $300 million first phase of its Accelerated Investment Program for the Modernization of Customs Services (PMOD), aimed at boosting the capacity of the Directorate General of Customs and Excises (DGDA).

The initiative was presented at a Council of Ministers meeting on March 27, 2026. It includes the acquisition of inspection equipment such as advanced scanners, satellite communication systems and radar. The government aims to curb customs fraud, strengthen border surveillance and prevent unauthorized access to the customs system.

According to a government statement, the first phase will be financed through a syndicated loan arranged by four banks: EquityBCDC, FBN Bank, Standard Bank and Ecobank. The financing was structured by the customs modernization management unit (UGP-Mod), using an IT service fee (RRI) as collateral.

A second phase is also planned under a public-private partnership with an Emirati consortium whose identity has not been disclosed.

Separately, a report by the International Monetary Fund published in January 2026 had already highlighted plans to acquire non-intrusive inspection systems, including container and volumetric scanners, as part of broader customs modernization efforts. These tools are expected to improve inspection capacity while reducing manual cargo handling.

The IMF added that strengthening these systems should improve export monitoring and increase government revenue, in a context marked by persistent weaknesses in oversight.

It also pointed to additional reforms aimed at improving data sharing between financial administrations, including linking systems between the tax authority and the Directorate General of the Treasury and Public Accounting (DGTCP).

Boaz Kabeya