DR Congo Sets Ambitious Goal to Become World’s Top Cocoa Producer

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) wants to become the world’s leading cocoa producer within five years, according to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Muhindo Nzangi Butondo.

Speaking in Tshopo province during the launch of the 2025–2026 agricultural campaign focused on perennial crops, the minister said Congo has all the conditions to achieve this bold goal.

“Within five years, we want to make the DRC the world’s leading cocoa producer. We have the land, the climate, and the workforce to achieve this,” Nzangi declared.

Agriculture as Congo’s Economic Pillar

The minister stressed that the plan aligns with President Félix Tshisekedi’s vision of making agriculture the backbone of the Congolese economy. He urged families in rural areas to plant cocoa, coffee, and palm trees alongside their homes, promising government support.

READ ALSO: Tshisekedi Launches Congo’s Agricultural Revival in Menkao

To mark the campaign’s launch, Nzangi symbolically planted the first nursery at the Bubuya Bera station. He also confirmed that governors have received instructions to identify plots in each sector and chiefdom for community nurseries.

Reviving Congo’s Cocoa Potential

The ministerial team also visited the abandoned Caben plantation near Bengamisa, a 5,000-hectare site left unused for about 25 years. Responding to calls for its rehabilitation, Nzangi pledged government support to revive the farm, saying it would play a key role in boosting cocoa production nationally.

Currently, the DRC exports around 56,000 tonnes of cocoa annually, much of it organic and highly valued in niche markets. But the country still trails far behind global giants like Côte d’Ivoire (expected to produce 1.8 million tonnes this season) and Ghana (around 617,500 tonnes).

What Cocoa Means for Congo

Cocoa is the main ingredient used to make chocolate, one of the most consumed products worldwide. Beyond chocolate, cocoa butter is also used in cosmetics, medicines, and food products, making it a highly valuable crop on the global market. For the DRC, scaling up cocoa production could mean billions in export earnings, thousands of new jobs for farmers, and stronger rural economies. By reducing its heavy dependence on mining, Congo can create a more balanced and sustainable economy driven by agriculture.

With vast fertile land and a favorable climate, Congo has the potential to transform its economy, moving beyond dependence on mining to becoming a global powerhouse in cocoa production.