Congo-B.: the processing of local products, a priority at the time of the Zlecaf

2024-03-31T03:51:24.039Z

Highlights: Congo-B.: the processing of local products, a priority at the time of the Zlecaf. The priority, for a country like Congo, is to be able to valorize raw materials on site. Last year, Congo-Brazzaville decided, for example, to transform all its wood locally. But when it comes to industrialization, electricity remains a problem. The network is very unstable, despite the investments made in the sector. For example, Congo spent $280 million to build the 120-megawatt Imboulou dam.

Congo-Brazzaville began on Saturday March 30 the development of its master plan for industrialization and economic diversification. Objective: build a solid economy to benefit from the…

Congo-B.: the processing of local products, a priority at the time of the Zlecaf

Congo-Brazzaville began on Saturday March 30 the development of its master plan for industrialization and economic diversification. Objective: build a solid economy to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (Zlecaf), particularly with the issue of on-site processing of raw materials in mind.

Wood ready for export in Pointe-Noire in April 2015 (Illustrative image). © Wikimedia Commons CC BY SA 2.0 David Stanley

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Brazzaville,

Loïcia Martial

To build the Congo

industrialization plan

, it is necessary to diagnose the strengths and weaknesses of the country. Economist Adama Ekberg Coulibaly, head of subregional initiatives at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, is one of the experts present in Brazzaville. He recalls that the

Zlecaf

offers great opportunities to the countries of the continent: “

This plan will make it possible to arm the Republic of Congo well, to ensure that the Congo participates in the establishment of what we call today the largest market never conceived in the world, that is to say the continental free trade zone

,” he says.

The priority, for a country like Congo, is to be able to valorize raw materials on site, explains Adama Ekberg Coulibaly: “

It means ensuring in a concrete way that African economies are part of a systematic logic of transformation of our critical raw materials, our strategic raw materials. To put it simply, it is adding value, creating wealth and jobs for young people, for the millions of women and producers who are

just waiting for this,” he explained.

Last year, Congo-Brazzaville decided, for example, to transform all its wood locally.

But when it comes to industrialization, electricity remains a problem. The network is very unstable, despite the investments made in the sector. For example, Congo spent $280 million to build the 120-megawatt Imboulou dam, which was commissioned in 2011.

Congo-B.: the processing of local products, a priority at the time of the Zlecaf

Congo-B.: the processing of local products, a priority at the time of the Zlecaf

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