On 30 July 2026, the Directorate General of Taxes and Domains (DGID) released a press communiqué announcing the official deployment of the Certified Electronic Invoicing System (SFEC – Système de Facturation Électronique Certifié). This launch marks the operational start of mandatory e-invoicing for VAT-registered businesses, aligning Congo with regional CEMAC digital tax standards and the OECD’s global VAT digitalization guidelines. The SFEC platform ensures real-time invoice validation, automatic VAT reporting, and tamper-proof fiscal data storage, directly feeding into the tax administration’s audit and risk-engine engines.
Key Takeaways
- Real-Time VAT Compliance: All B2B and B2G invoices must now be issued through SFEC-certified solutions, generating a unique fiscal signature that is instantly transmitted to the DGID, eliminating manual VAT return discrepancies.
- Phased Rollout with Penalties: The communiqué outlines a staggered onboarding schedule by turnover threshold, with non-compliant issuers subject to fines of up to 5% of transaction value and potential suspension of VAT deduction rights.
- Interoperability with FOUTA: SFEC integrates natively with the FOUTA payment platform, allowing seamless VAT settlement: validated output VAT from e-invoices pre-populates the taxpayer’s FOUTA payment slip, reducing errors and administrative burden.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Original Announcement