• The Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola will hold their third bilateral economic forum from March 31 to April 3 in Kinshasa.
• The forum will focus on trade facilitation, investment promotion, and cross-border integration.
• Bilateral trade rose to $178.4 million in 2024 from $126.1 million in 2023, reflecting strengthening economic ties.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola will hold a bilateral session from Tuesday, March 31, to Friday, April 3, as part of their third Economic Forum. The Congolese government announced the event following the Council of Ministers held on Friday, March 20.

Patrick Muyaya, government spokesperson, outlined the objectives of the meeting in an official statement relayed by the Congolese Press Agency.

“This meeting forms part of the ongoing effort to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, with the ambition of leveraging geographic proximity, economic complementarity, and the shared political will of the heads of state as the foundation of a reinforced, concrete, and sustainable economic partnership,” the statement said.

The forum will provide a structured platform for dialogue on key priorities. Participants will address trade facilitation, the security of economic corridors, and the promotion of cross-border investments.

Organizers will hold the third edition under the theme “Subregional Integration and Cross-Border Trade.” Authorities will use the forum to deepen economic coordination and accelerate regional integration.

Kinshasa and Luanda maintain structured cooperation across security, economic, and diplomatic areas. The two countries share more than 2,500 kilometers of border and both belong to the Southern African Development Community.

The governments established a permanent joint commission on “Defense and Security” in February 2026 to institutionalize coordination on border management and regional stabilization. Angola also acts as a mediator in ongoing tensions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The two countries have formalized cooperation across several strategic sectors, including trade, agriculture, fisheries, and industry. Authorities aim to structure exchanges and attract bilateral investment through these frameworks.

Bilateral trade increased to $178.4 million in 2024 from $126.1 million in 2023, according to data from the International Trade Center. This growth reflects strengthening economic ties and expanding commercial flows.

The governments continue to use bilateral economic forums as a key mechanism to advance cooperation. The second edition, held in Luanda in November 2023, focused on economic partnership for shared growth.

Vital Kamerhe, who served as Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Economy at the time, led the Congolese delegation during that session.

This article was initially published in French by Ingrid Haffiny

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum