DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has renewed temporary restrictions on imports of cement, clinker and lime in parts of the country as the government steps up efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imported construction materials, according to Business Insider Africa. The policy allows exemptions where local production cannot meet demand, helping to prevent supply shortages. Its success will depend on whether local producers can supply enough materials at competitive prices to reduce the need for imports.
The renewed measures, signed by Foreign Trade Minister Julien Paluku Kahongya, continue restrictions on grey cement and clinker imports into the country’s western and southeastern regions, while lime imports remain restricted in the southeast. The policy allows companies to apply for exemptions when locally produced materials cannot adequately meet industrial or consumer demand. Importers seeking waivers must provide documentation validated by SEGUCE-RDC, the country’s foreign trade platform. The decision extends a trade policy first introduced in July 2024, when Kinshasa imposed temporary safeguards to protect domestic cement and lime producers from cheaper imported products while encouraging investment in local production.