The Democratic Republic of Congo's General Directorate of Taxes (DGI) sealed a branch of the SK supermarket in Lingwala, Kinshasa, on Friday, October 30, 2026. The closure was due to non-compliance with the country's standardized invoicing system. The supermarket, located between the Protestant University of Congo and the National Radio and Television of Congo, was shut down following a control operation by the DGI.
According to sources within the company, who wished to remain anonymous, the closure procedure began on Thursday, after the DGI's control operation aimed at verifying the establishment's compliance with the requirements of using standardized invoices. A note from the DGI posted at the entrance of the establishment stated that the company was subject to an administrative closure measure for non-compliance with the regulations related to standardized invoicing.
The standardized invoicing system, an essential tool for transparency and combating tax fraud, was introduced by the Congolese government to ensure the traçability of transactions, combat tax evasion, increase public revenue, and modernize the tax administration. The system requires businesses to issue electronic invoices with security features that guarantee the authenticity and traçability of transactions.
The DGI's decision to seal the SK Lingwala supermarket was taken after the company failed to comply with the new invoicing system. The company's management was already in talks with the tax authorities to find a solution to the situation. Sources close to the company indicated that the supermarket's activities could resume within 48 hours, pending a favorable outcome of the ongoing discussions.
The standardized invoice must contain several specific details, including the identity of the seller and client, their tax identification numbers, and the description and price of the goods or services sold. The invoice must also include a unique identification number, a QR code, and a security feature to prevent tampering.
The closure of the SK Lingwala supermarket highlights the Congolese government's efforts to enforce tax compliance and transparency in the country's business sector. The DGI has been conducting control operations to ensure that businesses are complying with the new invoicing system, which is expected to increase tax revenue and reduce tax evasion.
The incident is not expected to have a significant impact on the operations of the SK supermarket chain, as it has multiple branches in Kinshasa. However, the closure serves as a warning to businesses in the DRC to comply with the country's tax regulations and standardized invoicing system.
Key points
- The DGI sealed the SK Lingwala supermarket for non-compliance with the standardized invoicing system.
- The standardized invoicing system aims to increase tax revenue, reduce tax evasion, and improve transparency in the business sector.
- The closure of the supermarket serves as a warning to businesses in the DRC to comply with the country's tax regulations.
