The DR Congo government should promulgate its new agricultural and seed laws before the end of May 2025. President Félix Tshisekedi disclosed the timeframe in his State of the Nation address to Parliament on December 11, 2024. The laws will be accompanied by other measures to bolster agricultural governance in the country.

The additional measures will include an agricultural cadastre, land use plans, and a complete database of all stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

While no specific timeline for parliamentary adoption has been provided, observers are optimistic that these laws could improve the business environment for current and potential investors. 

For years, stakeholders have criticized Article 16 of the 2011 Agricultural Law, which mandates that 51% of shares in commercial agricultural enterprises be held by nationals, against 49% by foreign investors. According to the World Bank, this measure could deter foreign investment in the agro-industrial sector.

The forthcoming seed law would be a major milestone in developing the DRC’s seed industry. Last October, the government announced plans to spend around $18 million to build a seed analysis laboratory and/or set up a national seed service by 2026.

This article was initially published in French by Espoir Olodo

Edited in English by Ola S. Akinocho