Gulf War: measures taken to protect Congolese purchasing power

Kinshasa, March 24^th, 2026 (CPA).- The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Judith Suminwa, has instructed government members to adopt exceptional measures to anticipate the impact of the Gulf war on the national economy and protect household purchasing power, according to a statement consulted Tuesday. “It is a matter for the relevant members of Government to take exceptional measures aimed at preserving the regular supply of petroleum products in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at reasonable costs, despite this cyclical crisis,” the Prime Minister stated. According to the source, these measures aim to cushion the external shock linked to tensions in the Middle East by easing charges on petroleum products at border services, ensuring effective transit of fuel from Kenya to the eastern part of the country and from Tanzania to the south, while controlling freight and insurance costs in determining the average border price. Furthermore, the Prime Minister instructed the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Economy, the Minister of Hydrocarbons and the Minister of Finance to suspend the cap on transport differentials for a period of 45 days. The Government also decided to suspend certain fees and reduce taxes collected by state services at border points. These measures, taken in line with directives from the Head of State, aim to ensure stable supply conditions despite global geopolitical tensions. “The Government reassures the public that the current supply of petroleum products remains generally under control. Available stocks are sufficient to meet national needs until June, while several vessels carrying petroleum cargo are expected in the coming weeks to strengthen storage levels and ensure continuity of supply on the domestic market,” the statement concluded.