### Food Price Reform in Kinshasa: A Momentum Towards Food Sovereignty?
On January 7, 2025, a landmark announcement was made by the Ministry of National Economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The significant drop in the price of horse mackerel fish, particularly Mpiodi, was hailed as a significant step forward in the government’s initiatives to promote access to essential food products. This type of measure may seem trivial, but it raises fundamental questions about the Congolese economic model and the true nature of the effectiveness of a government policy on food security.
#### Economic Context and Impact of Measures Taken
In a country where the majority of the population lives below the poverty line, the drop in the price of horse mackerel fish from 220,000 to 180,000 Congolese Francs is certainly good news. However, this reduction raises questions. Why were price drops, expected during the holidays, only observed after the peak consumption period of the year? This situation highlights an imbalance in economic planning and food distribution.
Comparatively, other developing countries that have implemented similar policies have often faced implementation delays that reveal a lack of coordination between different market actors. Looking at the initiatives of Ethiopia or Ghana, for example, we can see that price transparency and access to information have helped stabilize markets. The situation in the DRC could benefit from a similar approach, by mobilizing data to regulate price fluctuations.
#### Towards an Increase in Competition and Accessibility
The case of horse mackerel in the Congolese capital can be analyzed from a competition perspective. By reducing taxes and suspending VAT on basic necessities, the government appears to be establishing a framework for competition in the food sector. However, the real test of this system will be its ability to sustain this dynamic in the long term.
A parallel can be drawn with the initiative launched in 2016 in Côte d’Ivoire, where the government encouraged the creation of cooperatives for the distribution of food products, allowing local producers to benefit directly from price reductions. Combating the high cost of living should not only be limited to price reductions, but must also include the establishment of partnerships with local producers, in order to guarantee a constant supply and price competitiveness..
#### Limitations and Future Prospects
Nevertheless, the price reductions announced by the government may constitute timid steps forward if they are not accompanied by a well-defined strategy for sustainability. Market players have expressed concerns about the potential volatility of prices in the future, an important factor to take into account.
Another point to consider is the importance of product diversification. While Mpiodi represents a significant share of urban food in Kinshasa, other essential products, such as rice, meat or even vegetables, also require careful monitoring in order to achieve a real economic balance. The demands made by retailers and consumers for the government to act on other everyday consumer products are indicators of a market that, although responsive, remains sensitive to fluctuations in demand and supply.
#### Conclusion: A Reform That Must Go Beyond Numbers
In sum, the drop in horse mackerel fish prices in Kinshasa represents an important step in the fight against the high cost of living. However, this initiative could be perceived as a short-term marketing ploy if there is no clear political will to address the broader issue of food sovereignty. Establishing a sustainable relationship between producers, retailers and the government seems to be the key to transforming this measure into a real lever for socio-economic development in the country.
In an increasingly globalized world, the DRC must draw inspiration from successful models and implement robust mechanisms that support both local producers and consumption, thus ensuring that economic progress also translates into an improvement in the quality of life of each of its citizens. Such a transformation cannot be achieved without collective commitment and proactive governance, essential ingredients for building a flourishing future for all Congolese.