Kinshasa is preparing to commission eight fishing boats ordered from Egypt under a government program aimed at improving food and nutritional security. The Cabinet approved the project during its April 24, 2026 meeting following a presentation by the minister of Fisheries and Livestock.

According to an official government statement, the order includes three 27-meter vessels and five 8-meter vessels, all of which have already arrived in the country. Radio Okapi previously described the three larger units as industrial fishing boats acquired for $15 million.

Before putting the vessels into service, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock commissioned an expert assessment to evaluate their seaworthiness and economic viability. Three companies were approached, but only Mercure Logistics agreed to conduct the evaluation.

A key technical distinction

The assessment also highlighted an important technical distinction. According to the government statement, the vessels are seiners designed for pelagic fishing at depths of up to around 200 meters, rather than trawlers, which are generally used to harvest fish stocks at depths of up to 500 meters.

That distinction is significant in assessing the project's economic potential. It could affect the fishing grounds accessible to the fleet, the species targeted, expected catch volumes and, more broadly, the return on the state's investment.

The Cabinet nevertheless approved the proposal presented by the minister of Fisheries and Livestock. No date has yet been announced for the vessels to enter service. According to a Dec. 27, 2024 government statement, the fleet will be managed by the National Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture (ONPA).

The vessels are expected to strengthen the Democratic Republic of Congo's fishing capacity at a time when domestic production remains insufficient to meet food demand. Key operational details, including the business model, operating costs, management arrangements and deployment conditions, have yet to be clarified.

Timothée Manoke