London, United Kingdom, July 2, 2025 — During a high-level panel on unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential, Monique Gieskes, CEO of Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC), addressed the most pressing question facing the Democratic Republic of Congo’s agriculture sector: What is the single greatest constraint to scaling industrial agriculture in the DRC?
Monique Gieskes spoke alongside prominent business leaders, including Mrs. Marie-Chantal Kaninda, President of Glencore DRC, and Wale Adeosun, President of Kuramo Capital Management. In her remarks, Gieskes presented Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC) as a tangible example of how the DRC’s agricultural potential can be successfully realized. She emphasized that this transformation is indeed possible, noting that PHC is already demonstrating it through concrete results on the ground.
The Africa Debate is Invest Africa’s flagship conference—a premier international forum where over 500 to 700 high-level decision-makers, global investors, policymakers, corporate leaders, and senior officials gather annually to shape Africa’s future investment landscape. This year, the Africa Debate featured distinguished speakers, including His Excellency William Ruto, President of Kenya, who attended as the guest of honour and delivered the keynote address at the 2025 edition.

“The DRC has over 80 million hectares of arable land, a favorable tropical climate, and abundant, well-distributed rainfall,” said Gieskes. “With a population exceeding 100 million and a regional market of more than 500 million consumers via our nine neighboring countries, the potential is enormous. And with three-quarters of the population under 35, the labor force is there.“.
Yet despite this promise, agriculture in the DRC remains undercapitalized.
“Real constraints exist,” she noted, “particularly around infrastructure and energy. But these are precisely the challenges we’ve learned to turn into opportunities.“

As the DRC’s largest palm oil producer, PHC has become a case study in agricultural transformation, particularly since 2020 when Kuramo Capital became the company’s majority shareholder.
Speaking on the panel, Mr. Wale Adeosun, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Kuramo Capital highlighted the transformation of PHC, as a successful example of Kuramo Capital’s investment philosophy. Under Kuramo’s majority ownership, PHC has undergone a profound evolution, embedding sustainability, community empowerment, and operational excellence at its core.
“At Kuramo, we believe that investing in Africa means investing in its people. PHC exemplifies how patient capital, local partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability can unlock not just business success, but long-term socio-economic impact,” said Mr. Adeosun.

Among PHC’s key achievements:
- Doubling palm oil production over three years while cutting production costs;
- Doubling its workforce, now employing nearly 10,000 direct staff;
- Making major social investments, including nearly 40 schools and 4 hospitals with 460 beds;
- Powering mills with biomass to reduce fossil fuel use;
- Providing safe drinking water in rural communities;
- Organizing and training smallholder farmers through cooperatives.
“Our company vision is to create shared prosperity through agribusiness,” Gieskes emphasized. “And we’re showing it’s possible — even in remote, underserved regions.”
PHC is now seeking further investment to expand its operations and industrial capacity, including the construction of a biogas plant and a new refinery, as part of a long-term commitment to climate-smart, responsible production.
“PHC is living proof that a new model is possible — and it’s already happening in the DRC,” Gieskes concluded.
“It’s a model where agriculture is productive, inclusive, and resilient. Where rural communities become drivers of human and economic development. And where agriculture rivals mining in job creation, value, and national impact.”

About PHC
Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC) is the leading producer of sustainable palm oil in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company specializes in the production of crude palm oil and palm kernel oil from its sustainably managed plantations in Lokutu (Tshopo Province), Yaligimba (Mongala Province), and Boteka (Equateur Province). With over 100 years of expertise, PHC is the country’s second-largest employer and plays a key role in promoting food security and responsible agricultural practices. All the company’s production is dedicated to local consumption, directly contributing to the well-being of Congolese communities and the national economy.
Committed to a strict zero-deforestation policy, PHC works to preserve ecosystems while rehabilitating degraded land. The company also adopts innovative farming practices to improving the living conditions of local populations, PHC operates the largest private hospital systemin the DRC, with 4 referral hospitals, 3 health centres and 18 dispensaries providing health services to its employees and around 150,000 people. PHC is also investing in access to drinking water, the rehabilitation of old dilapidated schools and the construction of new schools for the children of the communities living around its operational sites. Since 2021, PHC has built almost 40 schools, providing a learning environment for more than 10,000 children.
For more information, visit: www.phc-congo.com
About Kuramo Capital Management, LLC
Kuramo Capital Management is an independent investment management firm founded in 2010, championing private commercial capital into Africa. We provide targeted global investment management services to institutional clients and ultra-high net worth individuals, focused on alternative assets in emerging and frontier markets.
In almost 15 years, Kuramo has redefined the landscape of private equity in Africa, with over $500 million under management. Kuramo has helped catalyze over $3.5 billion to African private equity firms and businesses. We are the leading conduit for private institutional capital into Africa.