RDC: Prepares UK Customs Duty Exemption Memorandum

• On September 22, 2026, DRC Foreign Trade Minister Julien Paluku Kahongya held meetings in Kinshasa with UK and Ukrainian diplomats to boost trade and investment.
• The DRC is preparing an RDC UK customs duty exemption memorandum to formalize the existing duty-free status for 99.8% of Congolese products entering the UK.
• The UK's post-Brexit trade policy already grants duty-free and quota-free access for nearly all products from developing countries, including the DRC.
• The UK is the 5th largest investor in the DRC, the 4th largest importer of Congolese products, and the 10th largest supplier of goods to the DRC.
• The DRC also seeks to diversify agricultural imports and strengthen mining cooperation with Ukraine, alongside attracting Ukrainian investors and increasing exports.

Kinshasa is currently preparing a new RDC UK customs duty exemption memorandum.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is actively pursuing enhanced commercial ties and investment opportunities with key international partners, including the United Kingdom. On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Minister of Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya, convened technical meetings in Kinshasa with diplomatic representatives from both the UK and Ukraine. These discussions were aimed at bolstering trade exchanges and attracting foreign investment into the DRC.

Central to the DRC's commercial diplomacy efforts with the UK is the formalization of existing trade benefits. Kinshasa is currently preparing a new RDC UK customs duty exemption memorandum. This document is intended to solidify the duty-free status for a significant portion of Congolese products entering the UK market, a benefit already extended by the British government.

The UK has already granted customs duty exemptions for 99.8% of Congolese products, a move that aligns with its post-Brexit trade policy. This policy allows the United Kingdom to forge independent trade relationships with developing nations, including the DRC, free from the constraints of previous European Union agreements. Under this framework, the UK offers duty-free and quota-free access to its market for nearly all products originating from developing countries, with the DRC being a direct beneficiary.

This existing trade landscape positions the UK as a significant economic partner for the DRC. Data indicates that the UK stands as the fifth-largest investor in the DRC and the fourth-largest importer of Congolese products. Furthermore, the UK ranks as the tenth-largest supplier of goods to the DRC, underscoring the multifaceted nature of their commercial relationship and the potential for further growth through initiatives like the RDC UK customs duty exemption memorandum.

The DRC's strategic objective is to leverage these existing exemptions and the forthcoming RDC UK customs duty exemption memorandum to substantially increase its exports to the United Kingdom. Beyond boosting trade volumes, the DRC is also keen on attracting a greater influx of UK investors, aiming to strengthen the overall DRC UK investment framework. This proactive RDC UK commercial diplomacy seeks to capitalize on the UK's open market policy and its established economic presence in the region.

Minister Julien Paluku Kahongya's engagement highlights the DRC's commitment to diversifying its economic partnerships and maximizing the benefits of international trade. The formalization of UK-DRC customs exemptions through the new memorandum is seen as a crucial step in providing certainty and encouragement for businesses on both sides, further solidifying the access of Congolese products UK duty-free.

While the UK remains a pivotal focus, the DRC's broader commercial diplomacy extends to other nations, as evidenced by the simultaneous meetings with Ukrainian representatives. With Ukraine, the DRC is exploring opportunities to diversify its supply chains for essential agricultural products, such as wheat, maize, and fertilizers. This initiative aims to enhance food security and agricultural productivity within the DRC.

Additionally, the DRC is seeking to strengthen cooperation in the vital mining sector with Ukraine, aiming to attract Ukrainian investors and increase its exports to the Eastern European nation. These parallel diplomatic efforts underscore the DRC's comprehensive strategy to expand its global trade footprint and secure diverse economic advantages.

Source: Original reporting via a foreign news outlet