AfCFTA: Congo Prepares Businesses for Growth in Intra-African Trade

Trade & AfCFTA: in Congo-Brazzaville, authorities are working to strengthen the ability of local businesses to compete in the expanding African market. Priorities include production capacity, standards, supply chains and logistics infrastructure connecting Congo with regional markets.

Intra-African Trade: Congo Focuses on Infrastructure and Competitiveness

On 14 August 2026, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was again placed at the center of Congo’s trade strategy. The country aims to use its logistics platforms and regional corridors to strengthen its role as a transit country and facilitate trade with neighboring markets.

The challenge, however, extends beyond infrastructure. Congolese companies will need sufficient production capacity, compliance with market standards and stronger supply chain management to export consistently across Africa.

Authorities have identified several priorities, including increasing productive capacity, improving product quality, obtaining international certifications and strengthening supply chain management. These factors will directly influence companies’ ability to access regional markets and control logistics costs.

The development of special economic zones focused on African exports is also part of the strategy. The objective is to increase locally manufactured products available for regional markets and strengthen the position of Congolese producers.

AfCFTA and Logistics: A Key Issue for Congo’s Trade Flows

For a transit country such as Congo, the performance of intra-African trade depends on the connection between production areas, logistics platforms, transport corridors and destination markets.

Infrastructure alone is not enough. Companies also need to produce at sufficient volumes, meet delivery requirements, obtain the necessary certifications and control transportation and procurement costs.

Congo’s position along regional corridors could therefore become a competitive advantage, provided industrial capacity and logistics performance develop simultaneously.

Why It Matters

• Market access: AfCFTA provides Congolese companies with access to a continental market of more than one billion consumers.
• Logistics performance: Supply chain management, transportation costs and delivery times will be critical to competing with suppliers from other African markets.
• Transit role: Congo’s logistics platforms and corridors could support growing cargo flows between the country and neighboring markets.

Congo Strengthens Its Position Within AfCFTA

Congo was appointed Second Vice-Chair of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers Bureau during the 18th Council of Ministers meeting held alongside the HerAfCFTA 2026 regional conference in Abuja, Nigeria.

The appointment comes as African countries seek to move from the legal framework of AfCFTA toward measurable growth in intra-African trade.

Congo signed the agreement establishing AfCFTA in Kigali on 21 March 2018 and ratified it on 27 December 2018. The agreement was subsequently promulgated in the country on 7 February 2019.

A Regional Challenge for Supply Chains

Across Africa, the success of AfCFTA will depend not only on trade rules but also on the ability to move goods at competitive costs and predictable delivery times.

For Congo, the development of transport corridors, logistics platforms and productive capacity will therefore need to progress together.

Congo is seeking to turn its geographic position and logistics infrastructure into a trade advantage. Business readiness, supply chain management and corridor performance will be critical to capturing opportunities created by intra-African trade and AfCFTA.