RDC signs Accra Convention

The Republic of the Congo (RDC) has signed the Accra Convention on Negotiable Cargoes, a legal agreement aimed at simplifying the movement of goods across different transportation methods. This step is expected to enhance trade efficiency and financing options for businesses involved in cross-border commerce.

Convention promotes single document

The Accra Convention introduces a single negotiable cargo document (NCD) that can be used throughout a journey involving multiple transport modes, such as road, rail, river, and air. This replaces the traditional reliance on maritime documents like the bill of lading, which were previously the standard in international trade.

Signing ceremony in Ghana

The RDC signed the convention on Monday, October 26, 2026, in Accra, Ghana. The signing was conducted on behalf of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi by the minister of Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku. The ceremony included officials from the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (CNUDCI) and the Ghanaian government.

RDC's growing trade role

According to the Africa Trade Report 2026 by Afreximbank, the RDC ranked third among African countries for its contribution to intra-African trade in 2025. Its share of these exchanges increased from 4.74% in 2024 to 6.74% in 2025, with a total value of $9.61 billion.

RDC's international trade volume

In 2024, the RDC's total trade in goods reached $56.5 billion, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This included $29.9 billion in exports and $26.6 billion in imports, showing the country's significant role in global trade.

Logistics challenges in Africa

Despite these trade achievements, logistics costs remain high in Africa, averaging 35% of the final product price. This is significantly higher than the cost in Europe, where such expenses are about three times lower. The Accra Convention aims to address these challenges by streamlining procedures and improving access to financing for trade.