Agency Details
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Saga Matadi
Agetraf S.Z.A.R.L,
6 Avenue de la Poste,
Matadi
Democratic Republic of Congo
Tel: (+8717)62126890
Fax: (+8717)62126892
E-Mail: emambu@mat-ic.cd

Click here for a list of all OTAL agency offices

The main freight forwarding and customs clearance company in the Dominican Republic of Congo, Agetraf provides customers with an extensive infrastructure (office buildings, warehouses, container yards and handling equipment). Agetraf has been part of the Bollore group since 1990. Agetraf's activites include, seafreight (import/export), customs clearance, airfreight, handling: forklifts, cranes, superstackers, warehousing, trucking and a shipping line agent.

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Matadi Port Information
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Matadi Port Infrastructure

Matadi is situated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the left bank of the River Congo halfway between the atlantic and Kinshasa. Matadi is a major town and is home to approx. 250,000 people and is the major gateway to the River Congo.

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Transport News
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DRC - Inspection Procedure For Import Cargo - 10/01/08
Since 2007, all import cargo to DRC has undergone inspection by BIVAC / Bureau VERITAS prior to shipment. From 01/01/08, OFIDA (Office des Douanes et Accises) and OCC (Office Congolais de Contrôle) will no longer accept exemptions. Any cargo without a certificate of inspection will not be accepted for discharge by the local authorities and returned to the port of origin.

Please note that cargoes destined for Brazzaville [Congo] via DRC are not concerned. Also all humanitarian cargoes to DRC are also exempt from inspection.

For the official notice from OFIDA please click here

Central Corridor Roads Ready By 2010
The 'Central Corridor', the road network linking DRC to Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda will be upgraded and completed by 2010. Mr. Dieter Schelling, the World Bank's task team leader said, "The Central Transport Corridor is critical in promoting regional integration, trade and investment because it opens up areas of main economic activities, such as mining, tourism, agriculture and manufacturing, in addition to serving four landlocked neighbouring countries." [WB 03/12/07]

Fragile Economy
The DRC remains one of the poorest nations in the world. Its inability to capitalise and fully exploit the abundant mineral resources with which it is endowed has been the misfortune that the new government is determined to correct. After many years of conflict and political instability, the country is beginning to show significant progress both on the political and economic front. Following the successful general election in 2006, the new government formed in February 2007 has committed itself to the reconstruction of this mineral-rich African state. The government has adopted prudent macroeconomic policies that are fostering more fiscal and monetary discipline. Overall, government needs to exercise strong expenditure controls while boosting its revenue collection mechanisms. There is no doubt, however, that infrastructural investment is heavily dependent on large international donor support, which will pose more challenges to the conduct of monetary policy. Also, we expect the government’s fiscal deficit to increase in the medium term as investment spending increases. The conflicts in the Eastern DRC still poses major threat to the progress already made.

Irrespective of these challenges, there is a sense of a relatively stable administration that is committed to exercising its democratic mandate. Investors are not only attracted by the significant progress made on the political and security fronts but, also the resultant business-friendly environment. The DRC remains a fragile economy that is heavily reliant on international financial support for its reconstruction. However, growth prospects look positive in the medium term. [Standard Bank 04/12/07]

New Forklifts for Matadi Port
Onatra port has received 36 forklifts out of which 20 have been allocated to operatio

DRC Import Cargo: Namibia To Invest In Walvis Bay Port, Rail Line
Namibia expects to borrow nearly $200 million from international lenders to expand its Walvis Bay port and plans to build a major railroad from the facility to boost trade with neighbouring countries, officials have said. The Namibian Port Authority (Namport) will spend $189 million to expand the port to handle more imports mainly destined for Zambia and DRC. [Reuters 17/10/07]

IMF Warns Of Impact Of China’s Loan To DRC
The International Monetary Fund [IMF] has warned of the macro-economic risk of the DRC proposed US$5 billion loan from China. Announced last month, the money is to be used for the modernisation of the DRC’s infrastructure and development of its mining industry.In terms of the agreement, China will be repaid in mining concessions. When fully disbursed, the loan will be one of the biggest Chinese financial commitments on the African continent. But the IMF, which said it had been caught off guard by the announcement, said on that the international community was concerned about the DRC taking on new public debt since it went against debt relief efforts. [The Times 05/10/07]

DRC Axes Transport Minister
The DRC has suspended its transport minister after a plane crash in the capital. The crash underscores the dangers of flying in the DRC, which has experienced more fatal air crashes than any other African country since 1945, according to the Aviation Safety Network. [SAPA]

IMF Warns Of Impact Of China’s Loan To DRC
The International Monetary Fund [IMF] has warned of the macro-economic risk of the DRC proposed US$5 billion loan from China. Announced last month, the money is to be used for the modernisation of the DRC’s infrastructure and development of its mining industry.In terms of the agreement, China will be repaid in mining concessions. When fully disbursed, the loan will be one of the biggest Chinese financial commitments on the African continent. But the IMF, which said it had been caught off guard by the announcement, said on that the international community was concerned about the DRC taking on new public debt since it went against debt relief efforts. [The Times 05/10/07]

DRC Axes Transport Minister
The DRC has suspended its transport minister after a plane crash in the capital. The crash underscores the dangers of flying in the DRC, which has experienced more fatal air crashes than any other African country since 1945, according to the Aviation Safety Network. [SAPA]

China Invests In DRC Transport Infrastructure
China has signed a deal to loan US$5bn to the DRC to develop infrastructure and mining partnerships. US$3 billion will build 3,200km of railway between Sakania in the south and Matadi in the west, as well as a 3,200km road linking Kisangani in the northeast and Kasumbalesa in the south. A motorway will also be built between Lubumbashi, capital of the southern Katanga province, and Kasumbalesa, a major customs point on the border with Zambia. The projects are expected to be completed within 36 months according to the DRC Infrastructure Minister Pierre Lumbi. [AFP 17/09/07]

DRC Imposes Mineral-Export Tax
The DRC is to tax mineral exports at a rate of more than 10% according to local government officials. The country which has a 10th of the world’s copper reserves, is trying to rebuild its economy after two civil wars between 1996 and 2003 left 4 million people dead. It hopes to raise its budget by 25% to US$3 billion next year with the help of increased revenue from mineral production. [Bloomberg 09/08/07]

DRC To Join OHADA
DRC is to shortly adhere to the Organisation pour l'Harmonisation du Droit des Affaires en Afrique / Organization for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa [OHADA] [www.ohada.com]. Created in 1993 OHADA is a legal tool thought out and designed by and for Africa to serve the purpose of regional integration and economic growth on the Continent.

OHADA provides its Member States with:
· A single, modern, flexible, and reliable commercial & corporate law, adapted to each country’s economy,
· Arbitration as an appropriate and trustworthy way to settle disputes,
· An opportunity for training judges and judiciary staff and ensuring their specialization.

Q&A: Antwerp & Matadi Port – Sister Partnership
Since November 2003 a collaboration agreement has been in force between the Port Authority of Antwerp [APA] and the ‘Office National des Transports’ [Onatra] in the DRC. Under the terms of this agreement the Port Authority undertook to help the Congolese government with the repair and reorganisation of its ports. This month will see the latest delegation from the APA paying a visit with their counterparts in Matadi.

When did the port of Antwerp conclude a sister port agreement with Matadi?
On 15 November 2003 a sister port agreement between the Antwerp Port Authority and the "Office National des Transports" [ONATRA] in DRC was signed.

How did this agreement come about?
Only a few weeks after the transition government in the Summer of 2003 came into function, the then Congolese minister of transport, Joseph Olenghankoy, visited Belgium and also the port of Antwerp. He pleaded to help his country in the reconstruction of the vital transport sector, and the sea ports in particular, in order to improve the import capacity of DRC.

The then president of the port of Antwerp, Baron Delwaide, responded positively and the sister port agreement was born. A few weeks later a first fact finding mission was sent to Congo, and 3 months later a technical team of the port of Antwerp was in Matadi to elaborate a detailed audit report.

Are there any other collaborators involved ie World Bank?
The port of Antwerp has from the beginning searched for support, not only within the framework of the World Bank programmes for DRC, but also within the context of the Belgian Development Cooperation. It has been essential in our approach to work together with all the important international and local actors active on the field, in order not to present an isolated project.

What areas are covered under this collaboration agreement?
The first phase saw the port of Antwerp providing technical assistance. Since 2005 we started a 12,000 m² rehabilitation project at the Quai de Venise thanks to a subsidy of the Belgian government.

Another important aspect of the agreement is institutional assistance, where the port of Antwerp tries to accompany the port of Matadi in its progress towards a landlord port model with public-private partnership. A third element is related to capacity building. Antwerp offers scholarships to the Congolese authorities for attending seminars of the APEC Port Training Center in Antwerp.

Can you expand on specific projects that have been successfully completed such as the repair works on the Quai de Venise?
For the moment, about 10,000 m² of the Quai de Venise is rehabilitated. We hope to continue in the next months with a extra 2,000 m². On top of that, we hope to replace the Venise Bridge with a new one, in order to create a supplementary access road for trucks to the port of Matadi.

The APA are also involved in rehabilitation works in Boma Port, can you expand?
We have also started the first rehabilitation works in the port of Boma this month, which are perfectly complementary with the works in Matadi. The principle is the same as in Matadi: we are trying to rehabilitate an operational zone (in Boma quai n°1) by making a good concrete surface and repair where necessary.

Are you involved in the Quai de Matadi works?
No. We have regular meetings with the World Bank and try to coordinate the efforts. This is the reason that we do not touch the Quai de Matadi because the Bank is focussing on that zone. [Local reports state the World Bank has partially agreed to provide US$20 million and that Quays 1-4 are currently closed and will not be operational before early 2008.]
Have you seen a growth in trade between the two countries since this plan was established?
The agreement was signed with only a domestic goal: to improve the import capacity of the port of Matadi. There is no focus on an increase of Congolese-Belgian trade. We have noticed an important increase in the Matadi port statistics during the last 24 months and we hope that the new operational zone at the Quai de Venise will be able to help the port authority and its clients to tackle congestion problems.

Is there a future action plan?
In close cooperation with the Belgian Development Cooperation, a new detailed action plan for the transport sector linked to the Congo river will be discussed and later presented to the Congolese government. Of course, the ports of Boma and Matadi will play an important role in that project.

Any pending visits to Matadi?
A new visit is foreseen for next week.
For further information please contact: info@haven.antwerpen.be

Matadi Port Rehabilitation Works
The vice-governor of Bas-Congo province has held talks with Chinese investors willing to finance the restoration works of four quays at Matadi port at an estimated cost of US$51 million. [OTAL local agent 23/04/07]

DRC Lifts Ban On Export Of Copper Concentrates
The DRC has lifted a ban on the export of raw materials into Zambia following high-level talks between the two countries. The DRC government has since opened its three border posts with Zambia which were temporarily closed to traffic in order to stop the export of copper concentrates. At the end of March DRC had decided to restrict the movement of copper concentrates between the countries. According to the decision, export of unprocessed minerals [minerals scraps, malachite, etc] had been forbidden, except with conditional authority from the Ministry of Mines. Zambia President Levy Mwanawasa intervened after more than 400 trucks carrying copper concentrates for various destinations were marooned at the frontier. [Xinhua 12/04/07]

DRC To Get Grant For Roads
The DRC is set to get $180-million grant from the World Bank to help fund roads and other projects.
According to reports, the grant is the World Bank's first under a fast-track funding operation, called the rapid response policy. [Sapa 03/04/07]

DRC Government Implements Imports Verification Program [PVI]
Bureau Veritas/BIVAC has been mandated by the Government of DRC to implement the Imports Verification Programme [PVI - Programme de Vérification des Importations. Please see March 2007 trasnport Report for more details.

SADC Trade Mission In DRC
The Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry [ASCCI] will attend a trade and investment conference in DRC. The SADC trade mission team will look into issues including economic reconstruction as well as business opportunities available for the region. The mission is jointly hosted by the ASCCI and Fèdèration des Entreprises du Congo [FEC], set for 22-25 April 2007 with 200 business leaders and captains of industry expected to participate.

The primary objective of the forum is to promote and facilitate trade and investment opportunities between the DRC and complement NEPAD and African Union programmes. The trade mission will include business-to-business matchmaking meetings in the fields of agriculture, telecommunications, mining, manufacturing, financial services, tourism/conservation, roads/rail construction, construction and building, petroleum/natural gasses, transport, services, water resources, healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Registration can be done through the ASCCI and the deadline is April 12. Please view http://www.ascci.org.za/events.html for more information.

New Road Linking DRC, Uganda And Rwanda
The Ugandan parliament has approved a supplementary US$37m loan from the African Development Bank for a road project linking Rwanda, Uganda and DRC. The project comprises a two-lane asphalt road running from Kabale and Kisoro in Uganda to Cyanika in Rwanda and Bunagana in DRC. Road construction is expected to start in May and last for 36 months. The roads has been identified under the Preferential Trade Area as a feasible and viable road in the region, it will also pass through a mineral rich area with huge deposits of iron ore in Muko [Uganda]. [Rwanda Info exchange 08/03/07]

New DRC Government Announced
The new DRC government was announced on 05/02/07, thus ending weeks of speculation as to its composition. The 60 member government, headed by veteran politician Antoine Gizenga as Prime Minister, was announced two months after the inauguration of Joseph Kabila as President of the DRC on 06/12/06. The Alliance for the Presidential Majority [AMP] - the political coalition of President Kabila - has control of all the ministerial posts in relation to security and reconstruction. The new government now faces the huge task of rebuilding the Congo after a decade of conflict, war and a difficult political transition period which began in 2003.

Gizenga 81, came third in a presidential election last year and threw his weight behind the incumbent Kabila in a run-off against former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba, whose fighters clashed with Kabila's soldiers in the capital Kinshasa twice during the tense electoral period. Mobutu's son Francois Joseph Mobutu Nzanga, who finished fourth, was named minister of state for agriculture in the new government. The new government kept some ministers, such as Denis Kalume who retained the interior portfolio as minister of state, and brought in figures from parties which backed Kabila through the elections. [MONUC 06/02/07]

UN Security Council Extends MONUC's Mandate Until April 15
In a unanimously adopted resolution on 15/02/07, the UN Security Council extended MONUC’s mandate until April 15 2007, highlighting that the DRC continues to pose "a threat to international peace and security in the region." The extension of MONUC’s mandate came as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Congolese authorities to focus on security sector reform and tighten up legislation covering business practices relating to diamond and other mining, because too much of the profits of these industries are used to fund armed conflict. [UN 16/02/07]

Britain Offers US$140 Million To DRC
Britain has offered 140 million US dollar to DRC to boost the country's development. [Xinhua 04/02/07]

Matadi - Progressive Port Revival
The Port of Matadi is starting to take off, after losing up to 40% of its berthing capacity. New initiatives begin to come forward that are geared towards the development of traffics.

Repair works on the Quai de Venise, with the support of the port of Antwerp, have given excellent results. Located outside Quays 1 to 10, it will be fully operational from next February. This quay will be designed mostly for fresh products. Quays 1-4 are currently being renovated and will not be operational before early 2008. For the moment, conventional vessels are hosted at quays 6 to 10.

Uncertainties which existed during the pre and post electoral period have proved unfounded. A climate of stability has instead prevailed, benefiting the whole port environment. ONATRA has ordered new equipments consisting of straddle carriers, large and small forklifts as well as container-ship chassis.

Inspection Procedure For Import Cargo - 01/01/07
Following a ministerial decree [no 106] all cargo entering DRC from 01/01/07 [loading date] must be inspected by Bureau Veritas prior to departure. For further information on these regulations please view OTAL’s website [French only]

First Democratic Elections Since 1960 - 10/08/06
The Democratic Republic of Congo's first democratic elections since 1960 were held on 30/07/06 for the presidency and parliament but the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) must now prepare for four more elections between October and January 2007.

Should no clear winner emerge from that poll, round two of the presidential election is scheduled for 29 October. Voting for the 11 provincial legislative elections will take place at the same time. On 29 December, another election will be held for a new Senate. Finally, on 16 January 2007, voting will take place for provincial governors and their deputies.

The Northern Corridor to Become An Economic Development Corridor - 16/06/06
The Northern Corridor is an interconnected transportation system that includes railways, roads, pipelines and waterways and stretches from Mombasa to the DRC and joins the major urban areas of Mombasa, Nairobi, Kampala, Kigali, Bujumbura, Goma, Bukavu, Beni and Kisangani.

DRC's Transport Strike Paralyses Matadi The Country's Main Port - 16/06/06
Workers of the public company, National Transport Office (ONATRA), have come to an agreement and ended their strike action, that crippled economic activities at the ports of Matadi and Boma since early June. ONATRA agents resumed work on 21/06/06, however, customers are faced with severe delays to vessels whilst the backlog is cleared. There are currently 6 ships anchored at Boma awaiting berthing at Matadi due to quay availability.

Boma Port Being Used to De-Congest Matadi - 09/02/06
The port of Matadi is still congested. As part of a solution the port of Boma now receives cargo destined to Matadi. A distance of 130 km separates both ports. [Local agent 09/02/06]

Matadi Accessible Once Again With A 26’ Draft - 15/01/06
The Port of Matadi is once again accessible to vessels requiring a 26’ draft compared with 20/21’ previously, allowing ships to sail up the river with larger cargo.

Following many years of neglect and lack of river maintenance, silting-up led to a draft limit of 20/21’ for calls at Matadi, equivalent to cargoes of 3000 to 3500 tonnes depending on the types of vessel. Needless to say that calls under such conditions were rather problematic. The return to a 26’ draft now allows transport of cargoes from 6,000 to 7,000 tonnes, still depending on the types of vessel, and in the case of units with a small draft because of their wider size, this can go up to 10,000t.

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Waiver Information
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Type: BSC (FERI - Fiche Electronique des Renseignements a l'Importation) via Internet
General Agent: Office de Gestion de Fret Maritime de la République Démocratique du Congo (OGEFREM)
Representative France: FRABEMAR [Italy], Syndicat des Transitaires, Dunkerque, France [BIMV Belgium]
Documentation requirements: - Please view document
Click here for a list of global agents who can supply the FERI.

Contacts and Links
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Matadi Port
Office National des Transports [Onatra]
Port de Matad i
BP242
Tel: (+243) 232530
Operates ports and also the railways under agreement with Congo Railroad Company (CNC) or the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Congo (SNCC).

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