Since its official accession to the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) in March 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been actively pursuing the development of a sustainable and competitive palm oil sector. In this context, a delegation of CPOPC experts, led by Mr. Antonius Yudi Triantoro, representative of the CPOPC Secretariat, is currently in the country. This visit marks the concrete beginning of technical and training initiatives aimed at professionalizing the sector and strengthening the competitiveness of the local market.
A Strategic Mission to Strengthen Local Capacities
From October 23 to November 1, 2025, the CPOPC delegation is focusing on strengthening the capacities of smallholder farmers in the Mongala and Tshopo provinces, while sharing international best practices in sustainable palm oil production.
The program includes Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training sessions, designed as two-way learning platforms. These sessions enable CPOPC experts and local stakeholders to exchange knowledge and jointly develop practical solutions tailored to Congolese realities.
During a meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Triantoro presented the training program and confirmed that the outcomes and recommendations would be shared with the Government, emphasizing the vital role of the State in coordination, political support, and farmer engagement.
For his part, Professor Dr. Mwatsi Manyonzo, Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, welcomed the initiative and recalled the country’s vast potential, thanks to its extensive arable land and national programs promoting high-quality seeds for perennial crops such as oil palm, coffee, and cocoa.
PHC, a Key Partner in the Transformation of the Palm Oil Sector
As the facilitator of the DRC’s accession to the CPOPC, Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC) plays an active role in implementing these initiatives and supporting local producers. Ms. Monique Gieskes, PHC’s CEO, stated:
“The DRC’s accession to the CPOPC marks a major milestone for our country. It opens the door to technical support, skills transfer, and concrete training opportunities for our producers. PHC is fully committed to this dynamic and stands as a key partner in implementing these initiatives on the ground. We are starting immediately with training sessions for smallholders in Yaligimba, organized with the support of CPOPC and conducted by experts from Malaysia and Indonesia—two of the world’s leading palm oil-producing nations. Their presence reflects a strong commitment to knowledge sharing and local capacity building.”
She added:
“I would like to thank His Excellency Muhindo Nzangi, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, for his continuous commitment to perennial crops, and His Excellency Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Republic, for his vision of ensuring ‘the revenge of the soil over the subsoil’.”
“The story of the palm oil sector in the DRC is now on a concrete and promising path—one where innovation, sustainability, and inclusion stand as pillars of development. Together, we are building a strong, sustainable, and prosperous Congolese palm oil industry,” she concluded.
Revitalizing the Congolese Palm Oil Market
As part of its technical assistance mission, the CPOPC also conducted an evaluation of the Congolese palm oil market. The study revealed that consumers continue to favor unrefined red palm oil for cooking, due to its strong cultural and culinary significance. Refined palm oil remains competitive in the market, with both local and imported products available.
No products were labeled “palm oil-free,” confirming the strong acceptance of palm oil in local consumption habits.
However, the absence of sustainability certifications (such as RSPO) highlights an opportunity for domestic producers to align with international standards and promote responsible production practices.
A Sustainable and Competitive Industry for the Future
These initiatives reflect the DRC’s determination to strengthen the competitiveness of its palm oil sector on the international stage. Through its membership in the CPOPC and the facilitation of PHC, the country now benefits from technical support, capacity-building programs, and a framework for collaboration that empowers smallholders, professionalizes the sector, and drives sustainable local economic growth.
