Foreign trade: the DRC signs the Accra Convention on Negotiable Shipment Documents
On Monday 26 October 2026, in Accra, Ghana, the Congolese Minister for Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya, signed the Accra Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents on behalf of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This international legal instrument aims to facilitate the multimodal transport of goods, enhance the security of logistics operations and improve access to trade finance.
Drafted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 15 December 2025, this convention was opened for signature on Monday during an official ceremony held in the Ghanaian capital.
In his speech on the occasion, Julien Paluku Kahongya expressed his deep gratitude to the Government and people of Ghana for their warm welcome and fraternal hospitality.
The Minister highlighted the strategic significance of this convention, which establishes a single negotiable consignment note for the entire multimodal journey. This innovation aims to reduce legal barriers to the transport of goods, enhance the security of logistics operations and facilitate the financing of international trade.
For the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country bordering nine states and with limited access to the sea, accession to this instrument represents an opportunity to strengthen its trade, reduce transaction costs and improve the competitiveness of its logistics chains.
Julien Paluku also highlighted the contribution this convention makes to African economic integration, by facilitating the movement of goods and promoting better connectivity between different modes of transport.
By signing this agreement, the DRC is thus reaffirming its commitment to legal certainty in trade, economic growth and sustainable development. The country intends to continue the ratification process in accordance with the applicable procedures.
In conclusion, the Congolese minister congratulated UNCITRAL on this initiative and expressed the hope that this momentum would usher in a new era of trade cooperation for the benefit of Africa and global trade.
