The company Plantations et Huileries du Congo celebrated the performance of its employees and the record production of 80 000 tonnes of oil in 2023, on February 10, 2024 in Kinshasa in the Congo lounge of the Pullman Hotel. The PHC Awards celebration is part of the company's vision to "create shared prosperity through agribusiness", where the employee is highlighted and rewarded for outstanding efforts..
The 2023 edition of the PHC Awards awarded a total of 57 prizes including 53 individual prizes and 4 collective prizes, i.e. 14 prices more than the previous year. Unlike previous editions, this 3rd edition awarded prizes to representatives of communities from production sites in the provinces of Tshopo, Mongala and Equateur, thus demonstrating the continued collaboration between PHC and local communities. This celebration took place not only in Kinshasa, but also on the sites of PHC activities on the same day.
PHC, which employs 10 000 people, continues its commitment to improving the living conditions of its employees. Upon the arrival of the new Congolese leadership, the salaries of all employees were increased by 12 %, which also had an impact on the remuneration of certain key positions within the company. In addition, working conditions have been improved through the provision of personal protective equipment and the implementation of new operational procedures in factories and plantations.
2023, record year
The company celebrated 2023 production with the achievement of 80 000 tonnes of oil, marking an increase of over 30% on the previous year. If we compare these results with those of 2020, we see a 77% increase in production. This success is the result of the operational procedures introduced in plantations and factories, and the efforts made by employees. They are also attributable to the investment of Kuramo Capital Management, PHC's majority shareholder since 2020, represented by Mr. Wale Adeosun. The latter believed in PHC's potential as early as 2017, even when the company was presenting unattractive figures.
Social and community impact
Beyond the awards, the company also celebrated its impact in the communities and its significant contribution to improving the living conditions of its employees who come from the communities living around its 3 sites of operations. In 2023, PHC strengthened its commitment to working for a peaceful social climate: protocols were signed with communities through the ICM (Independent Complaints Mechanism for European Banks), an independent structure. PHC continued its investments in basic community infrastructure, financing 35 schools to improve the educational conditions of nearly 10 000 children. The company also financed the rehabilitation of 13 health centers, 11 staff houses and many other infrastructures, not counting the PHC hospital infrastructures which recorded nearly 150 000 consultations in 2023. These infrastructures were equipped with new equipment medical imaging equipment purchased by PHC in order to improve the quality of medical diagnoses. In 2023, the company also opened canteens to allow the populations surrounding its sites to obtain supplies of quality palm oil sold at a subsidized price.
PHC also contributes to the economic development of communities. Through its community development program, the company provides technical support to more than 90 agricultural production cooperatives, representing more than 2000 households. This involves material support (seeds, agricultural tools) and technical support (training and permanent supervision). Also, PHC, in collaboration with IITA, produced more than 52 tonnes of food seeds of rice, corn and cassava as part of the “Agenda for Agricultural Transformation of the Democratic Republic of Congo (ATA-DRC)” program, initiative of SEM Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo . These seeds were made available to Congolese farmers for multiplication and processing in order to contribute to the country's food and nutritional security.
In 2023, the company launched the PHC Foundation to amplify the social actions carried out by PHC towards communities, in particular through programs focused on economic development, environmental protection, health and education. This with the technical and financial support of PHC as well as other development partners.
2024, a year of investments to prepare for 2025
PHC aims to achieve oil production of 100 000 tonnes by 2026. To achieve this ambitious goal, the company is planning strategic investments in 2024. This includes substantial upgrades and expansions of existing facilities, as well as as the installation of a refinery for the production of refined oil. Additionally, PHC plans to establish a biogas plant to generate electricity, benefiting both PHC's operations and surrounding communities, further strengthening the company's commitment to social and environmental responsibility. In a world focused on sustainable development and prosperity, PHC stands as a beacon of success, not only for its exceptional achievements as a private company, but also for its unwavering dedication to improving the living conditions of communities and to creating a brighter future through shared prosperity through agribusiness.
—PHC Communication—