The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will host the 22nd edition of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum, set for July 2025 in Kinshasa. This event serves as a crucial trade lever between the United States and the DRC.
Strengthening economic integration
The selection of the DRC to host the 2025 AGOA forum stems from the persuasive letter written by Congolese Minister of External Trade, Julien Paluku, during the 21st forum in Washington in 2024. Congo’s bid was chosen over nations such as Nigeria, Rwanda, and Mauritius, thanks to an effective communication strategy that highlighted the country’s economic strengths.
Choosing Kinshasa as the host for the AGOA Forum reflects a desire to reposition the DRC as a commercial hub in Central Africa. The event offers a platform to enhance the country’s international image and attract attention to its economic potential.
« Kinshasa boasts over five 5-star hotels with the capacity of more than 1,000 VIP rooms. We have an airport that welcomes 10 airlines. We also have tourist spots such as the Congo River. We plan to have participants visit our tourist provinces to change the negative perception of the DRC as an unsafe or inaccessible country, » assures Julien Paluku.
Hosting the forum will also help promote strategic sectors such as mining, agriculture, and tourism while strengthening local capacities. Interaction with U.S. businesses opens growth opportunities for non-traditional sectors, particularly renewable energy.
New opportunities for the Congolese economy
AGOA, launched in 2000, allows over 35 sub-Saharan African nations to export more than 6,500 products to the United States without tariffs. The DRC, reinstated into the program in December 2020, hopes to boost trade with the U.S. through this initiative.
According to The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), Congolese exports to the U.S., mainly refined copper and cocoa, reached 181 million USD in 2022. While this represents a small share of the country’s total exports, it also highlights the considerable growth potential. The trade cooperation forum could increase this volume by diversifying exports and attracting more investment into non-traditional sectors.
Diversifying trade relations
The AGOA Forum presents an opportunity for Congolese businesses to develop lasting commercial relationships with American partners. The country’s agriculture and mining sectors, central to its development strategy, will benefit directly from this major event. The Congolese government has already identified 21 agricultural sectors and five mining sectors to maximize the opportunities provided by the program.
Local companies, which have been oriented towards traditional markets like China, will benefit from the forum to diversify their trading partners. This diversification aligns with the national development strategy, which aims to reduce economic dependence and strengthen local expertise.
Preparation challenges for the forum
Despite the economic potential, significant efforts are needed to ensure the event’s success. While progress has been made, corruption continues to pose a barrier to attracting foreign investment. Additional efforts will be required to create a transparent and reliable business environment, in line with the requirements of this U.S. trade law.
The establishment of a national AGOA committee has been suggested to coordinate preparations and ensure the event’s success. This body will manage preparations and guarantee the smooth execution of the forum in Kinshasa.
Strengthening Logistical Capacities
Hosting an international forum of this magnitude presents significant challenges, particularly in terms of infrastructure. Kinshasa must prepare to welcome international delegations in the best conditions. Urban cleanliness and the availability of necessary infrastructure will be critical for the country’s image. Local authorities must adhere to strict deadlines to complete logistical preparations.
Urban infrastructure management, especially cleanliness and the availability of suitable facilities remains a major concern. Hosting international investors in an unkempt environment could damage the country’s image. Improving infrastructure is a vital step towards better integrating the DRC into the global economy. Additionally, Congolese authorities will need to meet strict deadlines to build key infrastructure necessary for the successful execution of the forum.
