DR Congo Roundup: Women literacy, polio surge, port development
Women's literacy program
Over 90 women from communities surrounding the MMG Kinsevere mine have successfully completed a literacy training program, learning to read, write, and manage their household finances. The initiative, supported by MMG Kinsevere and NGO Alpha Congo, has transformed lives in 20 surrounding villages, benefiting nearly 1,400 people over the past decade. MMG’s Director of Social Development, Michel Santos, highlighted the company’s $13,000 annual investment in the program and emphasised the growing role of educated women in community leadership. The initiative is part of the company’s broader efforts to support sustainable development and gender inclusion, Desk Eco reports. Many of the women shared powerful testimonies. One of the beneficiaries said, "I got married very young. I couldn't go far in my studies. Mastering neither reading nor writing, I frequently caused losses in the cash register, which created tensions in my marriage. Today, it's different. Since I was trained, I know how to save money. Currently, I have opened a food shop in the Kawama village, which helps me to send my children to school.”
Coffee prices climb, cocoa dips on global market
The Ministry of Foreign Trade has published updated export prices for Congolese agricultural products for April 7–12. Robusta coffee rose slightly to $5.49 per kilogram, while Arabica coffee climbed to $7.55. Desk Eco reports that cocoa saw a minor decline, now trading at $7.88 per kilogram. Papain showed a modest increase to $22.44 per kilogram. Meanwhile, prices for tea, soy, palm oil, sesame, and rubber remained stable. These shifts reflect a mixed but largely stable outlook for the DRC’s agricultural exports, amid growing global demand and supply chain adjustments.
247 Polio cases since 2017
The province of Tanganyika has recorded 247 cases of polio-induced paralysis in children since 2017, according to Health Minister Dr. Benoit Malumbi. Speaking at the launch of a new vaccination campaign on April 10, Dr Malumbi revealed four new cases had already been confirmed in early 2024 in the health zones of Kalemie, Nyemba, Nkansimba, and Nyunzu. "Since 2017, to date, 247 children have been spread over the six territories of the province of Tanganyika. These children will never walk again because of polio, yet a vaccine-preventable disease," Radio Okapi quotes Dr. Malumbi. He stressed the urgency of vaccinating the province’s 873,717 at-risk children and called on parents and community leaders to fight misinformation and vaccine resistance, especially among certain religious groups.
Government overspending creates $874.9m cash deficit
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo significantly overspent its March 2025 budget, executing expenditures worth $1.47 billion—38.6% higher than the planned $1.06 billion. This marks a 78.1% increase compared to March 2024, driven largely by civil servant salaries and government subsidies. Actualite reports further that capital expenditures also exceeded projections, rising from an expected $55 million to $74.5 million, possibly due to increased infrastructure investments. However, revenues of $2.86 billion failed to meet the government’s spending needs, resulting in a monthly cash deficit of $874.9 million. The figures signal mounting fiscal pressures on public finances.
Banana deep-water port to open in 2026
The deep-water port in Banana, Kongo Central, is expected to receive its first ships in 2026, according to Prime Minister Judith Suminwa. During her visit to DP World headquarters in Dubai, she reaffirmed the DRC’s commitment to completing the long-delayed infrastructure project. “The president and the government are fully behind this initiative,” Suminwa said, adding that progress was on track following discussions with DP World executives. Once operational, the Banana Port will enhance the DRC’s access to global trade routes and support the country’s integration into international supply chains, Desk Eco reports.
