CEMAC customs committees meet in Bangui
Experts from six member states are reviewing regulations to boost local production and cut import reliance.
Customs experts from the six member states of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) are meeting in Bangui from November 2 to 6, 2026. The technical meeting aims to establish regulatory foundations for a regional policy to reduce import dependency, strengthen local production, and enhance economic integration.
Seli Mbogo Ngabo, CEMAC Commissioner for the Common Market, opened the meeting, emphasizing the committees' role in harmonizing customs and fiscal regulations. The experts are examining conclusions from a July workshop in Brazzaville on implementing the regional import-substitution strategy adopted in March 2023. This strategy targets local production of rice, cassava, wheat, beef, and fish to decrease structural reliance on imports.
The strategy seeks to stimulate local output, reinforce regional value chains, and limit foreign currency outflows for food imports. The Bangui session will determine regulatory mechanisms for the effective application of these recommendations.