Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC) held its PHC Awards 2025 ceremony from March 30 to April 2, 2026, recognizing and rewarding outstanding performance of employees who contributed to the company’s results over the past year.
The award ceremonies held at the sites of Lokutu (Tshopo province), Yaligimba (Mongala province), and Boteka (Équateur province) showcase the company’s commitment in honouring teams working within the plantations and mills, acknowledging their contribution to the company’s success.
“The PHC Awards reflect our commitment to recognizing, at the operational level, the dedication and professionalism of our teams. They are the driving force behind PHC’s performance and make it possible to deliver on our vision for sustainable development,” stated Monique Gieskes, CEO of PHC.
Also present during the award ceremonies were PHC Chairman and Kuramo Capital Management CEO, Mr. Wale Adeosun; PHC shareholders from Kuramo Capital, Mr. Shaka Kariuki and Mr. Kamal Pallan, whose participation alongside employees tangibly embodies the vision of shared prosperity as championed by PHC. The vision founded on a growth model combines economic performance with recognition of human capital.
“Shared prosperity is built on a fundamental principle: the company’s performance must benefit those who contribute to it every day. Through this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to valuing human capital as a cornerstone of sustainable value creation,” added Wale Adeosun, Chairman of PHC and CEO of Kuramo Capital Management.
The PHC Awards recognize key roles across the company’s value chain, as well as other strategic functions. The awardees are selected based on a criteria set by the selections committee appointed by management. The awards include various categories such as:
- Best harvesters;
- Best loose fruit collectors;
- Best weeders;
- Best fertilizer applicators;
- Best factory managers;
- Best plantations;
- Best mills;
- Best sites.
Beyond individual and team recognition, this initiative forms part of a broader transformation effort aimed at strengthening a culture of excellence, promoting accountability, and sustainably enhancing operational efficiency across all levels of the organization.
Speaking during the ceremony held in Boteka, His Excellency the Governor of Équateur Province, Mr. Bobo Boloko Bolumbu, commended the commitment of the teams as well as the progress achieved by the company, particularly at the Boteka site, which was awarded Best Site of the Year 2025 in recognition of its outstanding results, marked by an 18% increase in production volume.
“The distinctions you receive today are the result of your consistent efforts and dedication. You are the true drivers of this collective success. I would like to thank the shareholders for the trust they place in our province through their investments, and to commend the remarkable leadership of Madam Monique Gieskes, CEO, whose vision and commitment continue to drive this company toward excellence. PHC must continue to establish itself as a reference at the provincial, national, and international levels,” he stated.
Award recipients expressed pride and gratitude for their recognition. Ofata Malombe Hélène, an employee at the Lokutu plantation and winner of the Best Loose Fruit Collector award, said:
“I am deeply honored by this recognition. This award gives me even more motivation to continue my work with dedication, knowing that our efforts are seen and valued.”
Fumulamba Mechak, a maintenance officer at the Yaligimba mill and recipient of the Best Maintenance Manager award, stated:
“Being recognized in my field is a great source of pride. It shows that technical excellence and commitment are encouraged. I thank the management for this initiative, which inspires us to strive for excellence every day.”
A long-service honorary award was also presented to Charlotte Makombo, in recognition of an exemplary 50-year career within the company. Deeply moved, she commented:
“Fifty years in service to PHC represents a lifetime. I have seen the company grow and evolve, and I am proud to have contributed to its journey. This recognition is a great joy and shows that loyalty and hard work are truly valued.”
Through the PHC Awards, Plantations et Huileries du Congo reaffirms its commitment to combining operational excellence, social impact, and sustainable development, by placing its employees at the core of its growth and transformation strategy.
About PHC
Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC) is the leading agro-industrial palm oil company in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Operating in the provinces of Tshopo, Mongala, and Equateur, PHC is committed to sustainable, responsible, and inclusive production for the benefit of local communities and the national economy.
Since 2020, with the support of Kuramo Capital Management, PHC has undertaken a profound transformation of its operations and social impact, driven by a fully Congolese management team. The company has notably tripled its palm oil production, significantly reduced operational costs, increased its workforce to more than 10,900 employees making PHC the largest private employer in the DRC and strengthened women’s representation within its workforce.
PHC also manages an extensive network of social infrastructure, including hospitals, health centers, and schools, and invests sustainably in employee training through the PHC Academy, thereby contributing to human capital development and the competitiveness of the Congolese agricultural sector.
