Angola Strengthens Border Trade Formalization with DR Congo Through Digital Systems and Regional Agreements
Luanda — The formalization of cross-border trade between Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is being driven by strategic reforms aimed at modernizing border operations and improving trade efficiency, according to Rui Miguêns de Oliveira.
Speaking at the 3rd DRC-Angola Economic Forum in Kinshasa, the minister said the reforms align with regional and international commitments, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Protocol and World Trade Organization trade facilitation agreements.
These frameworks promote simplified customs procedures, harmonized standards, and digital border management systems.
Oliveira highlighted the modernization of the Luvo Border Post as a key example of efforts to reduce illicit trade, accelerate cargo movement, and increase tax revenue. He noted that cross-border trade remains vital to local economies and supports thousands of households in border communities.
However, a significant portion of trade still occurs in the informal sector, limiting its contribution to economic growth and government revenue.
Women and young people, who dominate small-scale cross-border trading, continue to face challenges such as high transaction costs, logistical inefficiencies, and limited access to reliable information.
Both countries are signatories to the African Continental Free Trade Area, which includes provisions to promote the participation of women and youth in regional commerce.
Angola is also implementing structural reforms to strengthen foreign trade systems, including the digitalization of licensing processes through platforms such as SICOEX and PICE, and closer coordination among institutions like the General Tax Administration, the Banco Nacional de Angola, and the Angola Cargo and Logistics Certification Regulatory Agency.
Officials say these measures are intended to create a more transparent, inclusive, and predictable trading environment while supporting economic diversification and strengthening bilateral trade along the more than 2,500-kilometer shared border between Angola and the DRC.
