DRC Gold Trading Calls for Tax Relief to Formalise Artisanal Gold Trade
DRC Gold Trading has called for tax relief for gold traders and mining cooperatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), arguing that lower tax costs could encourage more artisanal gold to enter formal trading channels, curb smuggling and increase official exports.
On 9 October 2026, DRC Gold Trading Managing Director Joseph Kazibaziba met with Barnabé Muakadi, head of the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI), to present proposals aimed at making formal gold trading more attractive to market participants.
According to BANKABLE, citing Radio Okapi, discussions focused on corporate income tax and value-added tax (VAT). DRC Gold Trading argued that the existing tax burden discourages some operators from using official channels, contributing to the movement of domestically produced gold into informal markets.
The company has not disclosed the specific tax rates or provisions it wants the government to amend. The DRC’s standard corporate income tax and VAT rates are 30% and 16%, respectively, although the effective tax burden varies depending on the transaction and applicable tax regime.
Tax Relief Proposed to Curb Gold Smuggling
DRC Gold Trading estimates that approximately 75 tonnes of gold leave the country illegally each year, particularly through routes to Rwanda and Uganda. The company cites studies that value these illicit flows at nearly US$10 billion annually.
These estimates highlight the challenges facing the DRC as it seeks to strengthen oversight of artisanal gold production, improve traceability and increase the volume of gold traded through authorised channels.
The company believes that reducing the tax burden could encourage more traders and mining cooperatives to declare their transactions and sell gold through formal markets.
However, the impact on government revenue would depend on whether tax relief successfully brings previously undeclared transactions into the formal economy. The outcome would also depend on the final tax measures adopted and the effectiveness of enforcement and traceability systems.
Expanding Access to Formal Gold Markets
The proposal comes as DRC Gold Trading expands its purchasing network to improve access to formal gold markets for artisanal miners and traders.
The company says it operates across nine provinces, with approximately nine branches serving areas including the former Orientale Province, the Grand Nord region, the former Katanga Province and the Kasai region.
By bringing purchasing points closer to producers and traders, the network aims to make it easier to sell gold through official channels while improving the company’s access to artisanal production.
DRC Gold Trading Targets Higher Volumes in 2026
DRC Gold Trading aims to trade between 15 and 18 tonnes of gold in 2026, following reported exports of 3.5 tonnes in 2025.
Achieving the lower end of its 2026 target would represent more than four times the previous year’s reported export volume. However, the figures measure different activities: the 2026 target refers to trading volumes, while the 2025 figure relates to exports.
The company’s expansion plans and tax-relief proposal form part of its broader efforts to increase formal gold trading in the DRC.
Whether the proposed tax changes will achieve this objective will depend on the government’s response and whether revised tax arrangements make legal trading more competitive with informal channels. Effective enforcement, transparent purchasing systems and reliable gold traceability will also be important in supporting the transition towards formal trade.
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