White rice prices have surged sharply in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province. According to the Nouvelle dynamique de la société civile du Congo in Tshopo, cited by several local media outlets, a 100-kilogram bag now sells for more than 800,000 Congolese francs, up from 300,000 to 350,000 francs previously, representing an increase of between 128% and 167%.

The spike is attributed to the poor condition of rural roads, particularly those linking Opala Territory, one of Tshopo's main rice-producing areas, to Kisangani. Producers have harvests available but are struggling to move them to market, Christian Kambi, the organization's provincial president, said, adding that the supply bottleneck is fueling price pressure in the city.

Civil society is calling on provincial authorities to accelerate road rehabilitation to improve access to production areas and strengthen links with consumer markets.

Strategic corridor

Rehabilitation works on the Kisangani-Opala-Otala corridor were launched in September 2024. The project covers 309 kilometers of the road's total 328 kilometers and was awarded to KAS Logistic and Trading Company, with a planned duration of three years.

The corridor is strategic for the movement of agricultural products within the province. Its restoration is intended to improve connections between production areas and urban markets, though major logistical challenges remain.

Opala Territory is central to the government's agricultural strategy. In March 2026, Agriculture Minister Muhindo Nzangi highlighted the area's rice production potential and the need to support farmers through access to improved seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural equipment.

Realizing that potential, however, remains contingent on infrastructure. As long as access roads remain difficult to navigate, agricultural output from Opala will struggle to reach Kisangani on a regular basis.

Ronsard Luabeya