In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), local media reported that on June 10, 2025, the Tshopo Public Prosecutor's Office in Kisangani closed several cement depots for failing to comply with the official price ceiling of $16 per bag, set by provincial Minister of Economy Sénold Tandia Akomboyo. 

Since May, the price of cement in Kisangani had surged to $22 per bag, up from the usual $14, with traders citing the war in the east and high transport costs from Kinshasa as reasons for the increase.

Minister Tandia, however, attributed the spike to unjustified speculation. “According to the data in our possession, there is no justification for the increase in cement prices. Some operators are taking advantage of the war and the modernization drive to reap illicit profits. This is unacceptable,” he stated after meeting with major distributors including Cimenterie de Lukala (Cilu), PPC Barnet RDC, and Afri Food.

After this meeting, the price was provisionally capped at $16, but inspections later revealed widespread non-compliance, with some merchants expressing concern over supply logistics while others matched the legal price

PPC Barnet director Patrick Kahasha announced on June 7 the imminent arrival of over 120,000 bags of cement from Kinshasa via the Congo River, acknowledging that recent scarcity had fueled speculation.

This article was previously published in French by Timothée Manoke (intern)

Edited in English byOla Schad Akinocho