New facility at Dar port to verify minerals from DR Congo

Dar es Salaam. Mineral products from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will now be certified at a special centre in Tanzania as the two countries seek to raise the volume of goods passing through Dar es Salaam Port and curb smuggling.

Known as the commercial station office overseeing mineral products under the Centre of Expertise Evaluation and Certification (CEEC), the station will certify all minerals from the DRC passing through the port.

By doing so, it aims to boost investor confidence, ultimately benefiting both countries.

According to the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Dar es Salaam Port currently handles 68 percent of the DRC’s cargo that is transported through various sea gateways.

Speaking after the launch of the station yesterday, the Commercial Attaché at the DRC Embassy in Tanzania, Mr Kasongo Yampanya, highlighted the long-standing challenge faced by the central African country in transporting mineral products, primarily due to smuggling and other illegal activities.

“We express our gratitude to the governments of both countries for coming together and agreeing to establish this facility. It will ensure that all mineral products reach their destinations without hindrance, our businesspeople have been suffering significant losses sometimes, these documents may expire during transit if a vehicle breaks down, rendering the cargo unidentifiable and vulnerable to being classified as contraband,” he said.

Mr Yampanya added that due to inadequate mineral inspection, some businessmen resort to illegal channels for transporting minerals and fabricate documents consequently, investors suffer losses as their cargoes are compromised by fake certifications.

He said the office would expedite the permit process, even for expired documents, and address challenges encountered en route to the destinations adding the overarching goal is to empower DRC businessmen in the mineral trade, shielding them from harassment and ultimately boosting the revenue of both nations.

There have been cases of some businesspeople engaging in the illicit transportation of minerals, leading to arrests and theft. Moreover, the absence of a mining office in the country poses a challenge as unscrupulous businessmen forge documents.

TPA’s director of marketing and communication George Fasha highlighted the significance of the DRC as one of the six crucial markets due to the increasing volume of cargo passing through the Dar es Salaam port since 2018, emphasizing ongoing faith in utilizing the port facilities.

“The establishment of an office in our country sends a clear message that they are committed to doing business with us, therefore, I urge businessmen to utilise these opportunities to attract more investors,” he said.

Dr Fasha deed that in the first quarter of the financial year 2023/2024, both export and import volumes reached 2.5 million metric tonnes, compared to 1.9 million metric tonnes in the preceding years, marking a 15 percent increase passing via Dar es Salaam Port.

“Dar es Salaam Port commands a significant market share, boasting 68 percent compared to its competitors calling for cargo from the DRC, adding the event is anticipated to fortify the business ties between the two nations,” he said.

TPA plans to inaugurate another office in the East of the country, where mineral resources are abundant, aiming to facilitate trade between Tanzania and the DRC, presently, the authority has representative offices in Lubumbashi.