The World Bank Group has approved US$60 million to strengthen Congo’s aquaculture and poultry value chains, with the aim of boosting domestic food output, generating employment and improving food and nutrition security.
The funding, sanctioned under the Poultry and Aquaculture Development Project (PADeP), will address key obstacles hampering growth in both sectors, including poor access to quality feed, day-old chicks and fingerlings, inadequate infrastructure, limited technical expertise and difficulty securing finance.
World Bank Division Director for the Republic of Congo, Cheick F. Kanté, said the scheme could play a significant role in bolstering the country’s economy and food systems. “Unlocking the potential of poultry and aquaculture can help Congo create more jobs, improve food and nutrition security, and build a more diversified and resilient economy,” Kanté said.
He added that the project brings together public investment, private sector involvement, skills development and climate-smart solutions to help local producers become more competitive and expand.
Addressing a major poultry supply shortfall
Poultry and fish rank among the country’s principal food imports, with poultry imports alone worth approximately US$222 million in 2024. Local producers also contend with fierce competition from imports originating from countries including the United States, Brazil, Turkey and Poland.
The cost disparity is especially stark. Imported poultry meat can reach the Congolese market at under US$1000 per tonne, whereas local production costs can exceed US$2000 per tonne, according to World Bank project documentation.
Investment in feed and young stock
Of the total financing, US$23 million will support increased production and availability of competitively priced maize and soybeans for poultry and aquaculture feed, alongside commercial processing of these raw materials into feed.
The project will also offer grants for feed-production investments and help feed-manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises improve business planning, financial management and access to finance.
A further US$3 million will fund the production of quality fingerlings and day-old chicks, supporting the aquaculture sector’s supply of young fish stock alongside poultry breeding. For poultry, the programme will introduce and trial improved breeds suited to Congo’s conditions, whilst helping private operators access selected parent stock for commercial chick production.
Infrastructure and skills
The project will allocate US$2 million to build technical skills across the poultry and aquaculture value chains. Four agricultural stations will also be upgraded into technology and innovation centres, covering areas such as nutrition, disease management, laboratory services and access to new technologies.
A further US$12 million will fund productive and climate-resilient infrastructure across eight Protected Agricultural Zones, including reliable power supplies, solar energy, cold-chain facilities, processing and value-addition infrastructure, climate-resilient markets and digital connectivity — all of which will benefit aquaculture operations alongside poultry.
The programme will also set aside US$9 million to strengthen policy and regulation, while US$5 million will improve access to finance, agricultural insurance and digital services for businesses across both value chains.
For Congo’s aquaculture and poultry industries, the investment marks a major push to expand domestic production, enhance competitiveness and cut reliance on imported products.
Its ultimate impact will hinge on how effectively funding for inputs, infrastructure, skills, finance and private-sector investment is converted into stronger, commercially sustainable aquaculture and poultry businesses.
