DRC invests US$18.3M to revive N’Sele agro-industrial complex

DRC – The Democratic Republic of Congo has allocated US$18.3 million to rehabilitate and restart operations at the Presidential Agro-Industrial Estate of N’Sele, a flagship agricultural project on the outskirts of Kinshasa that has been inactive since January due to financing constraints.

The funding forms part of the government’s three-year public investment programme (2026–2028), with a total allocation of about US$19 million [41.8 billion Congolese francs] to be disbursed gradually. 

Roughly US$12.2 million [26.9 billion francs] will go toward specialised agricultural equipment, while US$6.8 million [14.9 billion francs] is earmarked for refurbishing pig farming facilities.
Operations halted amid funding gaps

Shutdown amid funding gaps

Operations at the estate halted on January 1, 2026, after running out of funds to sustain production. Images shared by staff representatives show empty poultry sheds and an idle slaughterhouse, underscoring a complete suspension of operations.

Employees in poultry units, including hatcheries, chicken houses, and the slaughter facility, have been placed on unpaid leave. Workers have appealed directly to President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi to safeguard the project’s future.

During a 2022 visit, officials reported that the complex housed more than 18,000 laying hens and two large poultry houses capable of holding over 9,000 broiler chickens, supplying the slaughterhouse on a three‑week cycle.

Established in 1966 under President Mobutu Sese Seko, the estate was revived in 2013 through a public‑private partnership with Israel’s LR Group Limited.

At the time of its relaunch, the project was presented as a vehicle to supply Kinshasa and neighbouring areas with locally produced food while creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for surrounding communities.

Poultry supply gap and policy context

The shutdown of the N’Sele estate left Kinshasa’s 20 million residents more dependent on imports of poultry products. A Wageningen Livestock Research study found that local egg production is far below demand, with the capital relying almost entirely on imported day‑old chicks, frozen chicken, and even table eggs. These imports cost the country over US$100 million annually, leaving the sector vulnerable to global trade disruptions and disease outbreaks

Across Africa, agro‑industrial parks often integrate poultry and feed production into broader food security strategies. Ethiopia’s Integrated Agro‑Industrial Parks, for example, combine crop processing with livestock and poultry units, while Nigeria’s agro‑food clusters have struggled with financing and governance.

For President Félix Tshisekedi, the US$18.3 million rehabilitation plan for N’Sele ties directly into his agricultural revival agenda, which in 2025 emphasised mechanisation and the distribution of equipment to boost yields nationwide. 

The reopening of N’Sele will therefore test whether flagship estates can deliver a reliable poultry supply and reduce costly import dependence.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.