DRC launches US$440M agricultural projects with Italian support

DRC/ITALY – At this year’s Macfrut trade fair, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced the start of its first two agricultural projects under the Agricultural Transformation Programme (ATP), marking a significant step toward building a stronger and more productive farming sector.

The two projects, funded by the African Development Bank with over US$440 million, aim to reduce the country’s reliance on food imports by 60 percent over the next five years.

The DRC has over 80 million hectares of arable land, but only 10 percent is currently in use. The ATP focuses on changing that, with support from Italy and the broader Mattei Plan, which encourages equal partnerships between Africa and Europe.

“The plan being presented by the DRC is a very important project, and Italy is significantly involved in this initiative,” said Fabrizio Lobasso, Central Director for the Economic Internationalisation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The Congolese effort fully aligns with the principle of a ‘partnership of equals’ that defines our relationship and was clearly reaffirmed in the Mattei Plan.”

Farming over mining

With a population of about 100 million people and annual food imports worth US$6.5 billion, the DRC’s government is pushing to move away from overdependence on mineral resources. As officials put it, the focus is now to ensure “the soil prevails over the subsoil.”

The ATP’s first phase targets nine provinces: Kongo Central, Kwango, Maï Ndombe, Kasaï Oriental, Lomami, Sud Kivu, Tshopo, Sud-Ubangi and Nord Ubangi.

Key projects include the development of 5,000 hectares of rice-growing areas, construction of five agricultural research centers, the rollout of solar-powered water systems, and the setup of community centers and youth entrepreneurship hubs.

“The Democratic Republic of the Congo has enormous potential in the fruit and vegetables sector,” said Professor Roger Ntoto from the University of Kinshasa.

“Key objectives include formulating agricultural policies and promoting youth employment. And our shared goal, naturally, is to support DRC’s democratic development together with a country we consider both a friend and a brother: Italy.”

Technology and Equipment at the Center

To ensure that farms can keep up with local and international demand, the projects place heavy emphasis on agricultural machinery, irrigation systems, and post-harvest processing. Italy, with its long history in farm technology, is expected to play a central role.

“At present, the DRC offers one of Central Africa’s greatest opportunities for Italian investment in the agricultural and agro-industrial sectors,” said Mike Tambwe, CEO of ANAPEX.

“Italian technology, especially in agricultural machines, processing units and packaging, can meet the needs of the Congolese market, which is both dynamic and under-equipped.”

Renzo Piraccini, President of Macfrut, echoed the sense of momentum. “This country has huge potential and is undergoing a process of agricultural transformation that is currently affecting the fruit and vegetable sector. This programme offers significant opportunities for Italian companies to set up joint ventures with Congolese operators, which are also being encouraged by the Mattei Plan.”

As ATP moves forward, both Congolese and Italian leaders hope the collaboration will lead to stronger food security and sustainable economic growth for the DRC.

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