Agro-industrial company Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC) has announced the exit of the Congolese state from its shareholding, following a recapitalization process launched in 2025 to strengthen its operational capacity.

According to PHC, the company sought a capital increase from shareholders to support its modernization strategy. The Congolese state, a minority shareholder with a 23.8% stake, did not participate due to a lack of allocated budget from the Ministry of Portfolio.

PHC described the move as a “responsible and voluntary” decision, taken in compliance with OHADA law, the company’s bylaws and applicable governance rules.This move strengthens the position of Kuramo Capital, which has held a majority stake in PHC since 2020, previously at around 76.2%.

A shareholder since 2017, Kuramo Capital said it has supported PHC’s turnaround through investments aimed at modernizing operations and improving productivity. The investor said production has doubled over five years with only a limited increase in cultivated area, while the number of women employed has tripled.

PHC has operated in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1911 and operates three industrial sites at Boteka, Yaligimba and Lokutu. The company controls more than 100,000 hectares of concessions, including around 30,000 hectares of oil palm plantations, and employs more than 11,000 people.

Production has remained relatively stable in recent years. After producing around 80,000 metric tons of palm oil in 2023, PHC is targeting 81,000 metric tons in 2025, with a goal of reaching 100,000 metric tons by 2026.

The company also plans to develop its own palm oil refinery to expand local processing and better serve the domestic market.

Ronsard Luabeya