The city of Beni, located in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is experiencing a sudden increase in fuel prices. This surge is attributed to the blockade of over 300 tanker trucks at the Kasindi border post. The Fédération des entreprises du Congo (FEC) has accused the Association congolaise des commissionnaires agréés en douane (ACCAD) of demanding a contentious surtax before releasing the cargo, disrupting local supplies and straining household purchasing power.
According to a letter dated October 2, 2026, addressed to the local FEC president, ACCAD is conditioning the passage of petroleum products on the payment of an additional $50 per cubic meter. This translates to an average additional cost of $2,000 per tanker truck. Economic operators in the region strongly contest this levy, arguing that the conventional tax has already been regularized and directly integrated into the SYDONIA automatic customs system by the Direction générale des douanes et accises (DGDA) since September 2026.
The paralysis at the border is having a direct impact on the service stations in Beni, where the price of a liter of gasoline has risen from 3,800 to 4,500 Congolese francs in a matter of days. This sudden increase is triggering a chain reaction in the prices of public transportation and essential goods. The situation is causing concern among the local population and economic actors, who are urging the provincial authorities to intervene urgently.
The ACCAD management has indicated that it will make its position public in the coming hours. The population and local economic actors are calling on the provincial government to intervene urgently with the financial authorities to release the cargo and stabilize the market. If the situation persists, it may lead to further hikes in prices, exacerbating the socio-economic challenges faced by the local population.
This incident is not an isolated case, as Beni has experienced similar challenges in the past. For instance, the price of gasoline once surged from 3,000 to 21,000 Congolese francs per liter within a week. The local economic operators are worried that the introduction of new taxes could lead to further price hikes, affecting the already strained household budgets.
The tax dispute between FEC and ACCAD has significant implications for the local economy. The FEC has maintained that the surtax demanded by ACCAD is unjustified and has urged the authorities to intervene. The situation requires a prompt resolution to mitigate the impact on the local population and prevent further economic hardship.
The provincial government has been urged to take immediate action to resolve the crisis. The release of the blocked cargo is crucial to restoring the supply of fuel and stabilizing prices. The situation in Beni remains volatile, and the authorities will need to act swiftly to prevent a further deterioration of the socio-economic situation.
Key points
- The tax dispute between FEC and ACCAD has led to a blockade of over 300 tanker trucks at the Kasindi border post.
- The price of gasoline in Beni has risen from 3,800 to 4,500 Congolese francs per liter due to the blockade.
- The local population and economic actors are urging the provincial authorities to intervene urgently to release the cargo and stabilize the market.
