The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), long known as a global powerhouse in minerals such as cobalt, copper, and other precious metals, is now diversifying its economy by investing in agriculture.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo is shifting focus from its traditional reliance on minerals to developing its agricultural sector.
- A memorandum of understanding was signed to launch a major sugar refinery project in Sakania, Haut-Katanga province.
- The Sakania refinery aims to reduce the country’s dependency on sugar imports, which cost over $150 million in 2025.
- The project will create jobs, improve infrastructure, and enhance community engagement through local development programs.
The government recently formalized the launch of the Sakania sugar refinery project in Haut-Katanga province through a memorandum of understanding signed between Minister of State Muhindo Nzangi Butondo and local customary authorities.
Elaborating on the concrete scope of this agreement, the Minister stated:
“We have just signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a sugar agro-food industry in the Sakania territory. This act marks the birth of a vast project that will henceforth be known as the Sakania sugar factory.”
The initiative, formalised on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, is part of a broader policy to strengthen national food security and reduce dependence on sugar imports, which cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
DRC’s push to end sugar imports
According to FAO data, the DRC imported over $150 million worth of sugar in 2025, reflecting a growing gap between domestic production and consumption.
By cultivating sugarcane and establishing modern processing facilities, the Sakania refinery aims to produce the first kilogram of sugar within two years, creating a domestic supply chain capable of meeting local demand and reducing foreign reliance.
“Today’s ceremony, beyond its symbolic value, represents an important step for the food security of the DRC. As part of our food sovereignty efforts, we want to reduce our dependence on foreign imports, particularly for products like sugar,” Minister Butondo said, emphasizing the dual economic and social impact of the project.
The Sakania refinery is designed as an integrated agro-industrial project, incorporating technical, economic, and environmental studies, as well as investment mobilization.
A local development fund and community development program are included to create jobs, improve local infrastructure, and ensure the engagement of communities in land allocation and tenure security.
Diversifying beyond minerals
While the DRC dominates global supply chains for cobalt, copper, and other rare minerals, the government recognizes the importance of economic diversification.
By leveraging fertile land and abundant water resources, the country aims to complement its mineral wealth with industrial-scale agriculture, reducing vulnerability to commodity price swings and building domestic industries.
The Sakania sugar factory illustrates a broader strategy to industrialize agriculture, create value chains, and generate jobs, demonstrating that the DRC is committed not only to mining but also to building a resilient and diversified economy.
For Haut-Katanga and the nation at large, this project signals a new chapter where agriculture plays a central role in economic growth and food sovereignty.
