Today’s article highlights the agricultural potential of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and an initiative that aims to stimulate investments in this promising sector. With nearly 80 million hectares of arable land, of which only 1% is cultivated, the DRC aspires to a real agricultural revolution to enhance its soil and promote development centered on agriculture.
The “DRC Agribusiness Forum”, organized in collaboration with the DRC Ministries of Finance and Agriculture, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and One Africa Forum, will be held in Kinshasa from October 4-5, 2023. This event will bring together more than 500 specialized professionals, government officials, financing agencies and investors from the agricultural sector to discuss the potential and opportunities for investment in agriculture in the DRC.
Currently, the agricultural sector represents approximately 20% of the DRC’s GDP and employs nearly 70% of the population. However, despite its economic and social importance, the agricultural sector has been neglected in favor of mining activities, particularly copper mining. This has led to chronic underinvestment in agriculture and overreliance on food imports.
Yet the figures demonstrate the DRC’s potential as a major agricultural producer. Before its independence, the country was the world’s second largest producer of palm oil, behind Nigeria. Despite ongoing challenges, there are encouraging signs of recovery in agricultural production, notably in the cultivation of cassava, maize, rice, beans and peas.
The forum aims to attract strategic investments in agricultural value chains, with a focus on processing and agribusiness. The DRC also has significant potential in sectors such as coffee, cocoa, tea, tobacco and oilseeds, which could contribute significantly to the country’s economy.
However, for the DRC to truly realize its agricultural potential, it is essential that investments increase significantly. This requires a concerted effort between the government, international organizations, financial institutions and private sector investors to support large-scale agricultural projects, agricultural infrastructure and vocational training in agriculture.
It is therefore essential that events like the “DRC Agribusiness Forum” multiply to raise awareness among investors and key stakeholders of the importance of agriculture in the DRC and its immense development potential.. By emphasizing the revenge of soil over subsoil, the DRC can regain its place as a major agricultural force in Africa and contribute to improving food security and sustainable economic growth in the country.