RWANDA – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially initiated the first two projects under its Agricultural Transformation Programme (ATP), marking a new phase in the country’s efforts to boost local food production.
The announcement was made during this year’s Macfrut trade fair, one of Europe’s leading fruit and vegetable sector events, held in Rimini, Italy.
Funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the projects carry a combined investment of over US$440M. They are part of a national strategy to reduce food imports by 60% within the next five years.
The DRC currently imports food valued at around US$6.5B annually.
Agriculture gains ground in a minerals-driven economy
Although the DRC is known globally for its vast mineral wealth, the country is now pivoting toward its agricultural potential.
With over 80 million hectares of arable land, of which only 10% is presently cultivated, the ATP aims to expand land use and stimulate agribusiness. The government’s messaging around the program includes a shift in priority, with officials emphasizing the need for “the soil to prevail over the subsoil.”
The ATP’s initial rollout covers nine provinces: Kongo Central, Kwango, Maï Ndombe, Kasaï Oriental, Lomami, Sud Kivu, Tshopo, Sud-Ubangi, and Nord Ubangi.
Early-stage activities include the development of 5,000 hectares for rice cultivation, the establishment of five agricultural research centers, and the deployment of solar-powered irrigation systems. Community centers and youth-oriented entrepreneurship hubs are also in the pipeline.
Italy’s role and the Mattei Plan
The initiative has received backing from Italy through its Mattei Plan, a policy framework aimed at fostering equal partnerships between European and African nations.
Speaking at Macfrut, Fabrizio Lobasso, Central Director for the Economic Internationalisation of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the DRC’s plan aligns with Italy’s approach to international cooperation.
“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,” Lobasso said.
Italy’s involvement also positions its private sector, particularly in farm machinery and food processing technologies, to participate in the ATP through commercial ventures and investment partnerships.
According to Renzo Piraccini, President of Macfrut, the program presents Italian companies with pathways to collaborate with Congolese stakeholders in equipment supply, processing, and packaging.
Technology and infrastructure at the forefront
Technology plays a central role in the ATP framework. Alongside expanding arable land, the program is focused on equipping farms with modern irrigation systems and post-harvest processing units.
This strategy aims to improve yields and product quality while ensuring better access to regional and international markets.
Mike Tambwe, CEO of the National Agency for the Promotion of Exports (ANAPEX), emphasized the country’s demand for mechanization.
“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,” he said.
Agricultural researchers and academics are also being integrated into the program. Professor Roger Ntoto of the University of Kinshasa noted the inclusion of research and policy design as core ATP elements, along with efforts to generate employment for youth.
Contextual developments and broader implications
The ATP arrives amid growing regional and global concerns over food security, especially in countries where agriculture remains underutilized.
The DRC’s strategy aligns with broader African Union goals to modernize the continent’s agriculture sector and reduce dependence on external food supply chains.
The program also reflects recent continental trends favoring public-private partnerships in agricultural investment.
Countries such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana have introduced similar initiatives to mechanize farming, strengthen agro-industrial capacity, and support rural economies.
At Macfrut, industry observers described the DRC’s announcement as one of the most substantial state-led agricultural programs to emerge from Central Africa in recent years.
While project implementation is still in its early stages, the partnership framework and multisectoral approach suggest a shift in how the country aims to utilize its natural resources beyond minerals.
