Investors Eye DRC’s Vast Agricultural Potential in Trade Mission

Lubumbashi, DRC, 18th September 2025 – Agriculture in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
is emerging as a sector brimming with untapped potential, offering lucrative opportunities for
investors.
Delegates attending the ongoing five-day trade mission to the DRC, organized by Equity Bank, were
captivated by the scale and efficiency of large-scale farming operations near Lubumbashi. These site
visits highlighted the immense opportunities in agriculture, particularly in addressing the region’s food security challenges.

A visit to Jambo Farming Company, located two hours south of Lubumbashi, showcased the
transformative potential of mechanized farming. Spanning 4,500 hectares of maize, Jambo plans to
expand into wheat cultivation on 500 hectares in the coming season. The farm’s operations are highly mechanized, employing machinery comparable to earth movers, including 410-horsepower tractorstowing multiple 14.5-meter ploughs and specialized tractors with 35-meter spray booms capable of spraying 15 hectares in a single trip.
“Soils here are heavy, hardening to earth stones, so you need heavy-duty discs to break them up
during ploughing,” explained Vishal Fatania, a Director at Jambo. The farm consumes 5,000 liters of
diesel daily during ploughing season, enabling it to produce 22,000 tonnes of grain annually. Despite
this impressive output, Jambo and two other large farms in the region supply only 7% of Katanga’s
maize demand, with the shortfall being imported.

“This tells you there is a huge gap waiting for investors,” Fatania emphasized, noting that irrigation is
also viable due to the shallow water table. The potential for large-scale farming in the DRC is vast,
with opportunities to meet local demand and tap into regional markets.
Paty-Paterne Mushagalusa, EquityBCDC Associate Director for Commercial Projects and Sectors,
highlighted the significance of Jambo’s operations within the framework of Equity’s Africa Recovery
and Resilience Plan (ARRP). “The three biggest farming companies barely supply 10% of Katanga’s
maize demand. This means there is an opportunity for others to emulate them and seek financing.
With the right syndication, Equity can advance up to $4 billion,” Mushagalusa said.
Real estate developer Dr. Ishaq Buya, visiting from Mombasa, was equally impressed by Jambo’s
scale and efficiency. He pointed to the high level of mechanization and economies of scale as key
factors in achieving significant productivity, such as yields of up to 7 tonnes of maize per hectare.
“This is something we can emulate back home in Kenya,” he noted, adding that such practices could
serve as a model for agricultural development in other regions.

While agriculture took center stage during the mission, delegates also explored opportunities in
manufacturing and logistics. A visit to Hyper Psaro, a bottling plant in Lubumbashi, revealed the
immense demand for beverages and bottled water in the region. The company distributes 70% of its
products within Katanga, with the remaining 30% transported to Kinshasa, 2,300 kilometers away.
However, poor infrastructure makes transportation a logistical nightmare, taking up to two weeks by
road and a month during the rainy season.

Production challenges at Hyper Psaro are further compounded by erratic electricity supply, forcing the plant to rely on generators and solar lighting. Despite these hurdles, the demand for bottled water and beverages far exceeds supply, presenting a lucrative opportunity for investors in the bottling ecosystem.
Equity Bank has been instrumental in supporting businesses in the DRC, dedicating 35% of its
lending to agriculture under the ARRP. The bank has demonstrated its capacity to finance large-scale
projects, with loans of up to $20 million available to clients. Delegates praised Equity’s role innfacilitating trade missions and providing strategic guidance to businesses seeking to expand in the region.
Esther Thongori, CEO of Lohim Company, highlighted the bank’s support, noting its seamless cross-
border account management and willingness to guide clients in unlocking opportunities. “Equity is a
very supportive bank, not only financially but also by extending a guiding hand to anyone seeking to
grow their businesses,” she said.

For more information, please contact:
1. Alex Muhia
Director Communications
T: Office +254 763 026007
Mobile – +254 763 618871
E: CorporateCommunications@equitybank.co.ke
E: Alex.Muhia@equitybank.co.ke

2. John Mbati
Ogilvy Africa PR & I
T: +254 726 657 301
E: john.mbati@ogilvy.africa