Congo – Interview with Mr. Jean-Marc Thystère Tchicaya, Minister of Special Economic Zones and Economic Diversification

The National Development Plan (NDP) 2022-2026 emphasizes economic diversification. What is your action plan?

The strategic orientations of the NDP refer to the choice prioritizing the development of "a strong, diversified, resilient economy for inclusive growth and sustainable development".

This choice is based on the following strategic pillars: agriculture in the broadest sense, with the idea of making this sector a lever for the structural transformation of the economy, the basis for a dynamic of strong and sustainable growth; industry, to broaden the productive base of the economy and job creation opportunities; Special Economic Zones, with a view to strengthening industrialization, attracting more private investors, both national and foreign, and establishing an export base for processed local products; tourism, aiming to optimally exploit the national tourism potential; the digital economy, to increase the modernization and competitiveness of the economy; and real estate, with a view to ensuring decent housing for all Congolese and building economic and commercial infrastructure.

It is important to note that the 2022-2026 National Development Plan (NDP) does not exclude activities outside the strategic pillars, including health, education, defense, security, and the environment. Within my department, we believe that Special Economic Zones, in conjunction with the other pillars of the NDP, must be the driving force behind the irreversible development of a strong, non-oil industrial base that creates jobs and generates wealth. 

Operationalizing this vision requires, at the governmental level, an effective strategy allowing for better consideration of cross-cutting missions and responsibilities.

The implementation of this strategy requires the adoption of a National Strategic Plan and a law on Economic Diversification. 

At the level of the Special Economic Zones, the implementation of the 3 priority programs selected in the 2022-2026 National Development Plan concerns:

– the governance of special economic zones; ;

– the development and servicing of spaces in special economic zones; ;

– the development of industrial, commercial and tourism activities in the SEZs.

To achieve these performance objectives, the Department has committed, in addition to fulfilling its responsibilities in steering economic diversification, to a special economic zone development approach, which requires:

– the search for national or international developers for the development and servicing of the SEZs; ;

– the mobilization of credible national and international private investors with sustainable and high-quality projects; ; 

– obtaining from the State a pro-diversification budget and funds to enable the development and viability of special economic zones; ;

– seeking foreign funding through the development of partnerships with bilateral or multilateral development partners in order to finance high-impact projects; ;

– the involvement, within the framework of local content, of SMEs/SMIs in joint ventures or by subcontracting for international investors who would come to set up in special economic zones; ;

– the development and implementation of an effective communication and marketing policy for the promotion of special economic zones and economic diversification.

The launch of activities in the Igné Special Economic Zone Is it effective? What is the current status of the development of the special economic zones of Pointe-Noire, Oyo-Ollombo and Ouesso?

The development of the Ignié Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has begun with the rehabilitation of the Maloukou Industrial and Commercial Park, the concession for which was granted to Macefield Congo Ventures SAS, a subsidiary of the Crystal Ventures group. Indeed, under the terms of the concession agreement signed between the Republic of Congo and the Crystal Ventures group, the Congolese subsidiary of this group was entrusted with the development, operationalization, and management of the Maloukou Industrial and Commercial Park, thus granting this subsidiary the status of developer within the SEZ regime for this park. To date, the rehabilitation work on this park is progressing well in accordance with the specifications submitted to the developer. Consequently, the commissioning of this park is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024, with the operationalization of all the factories. Potential investors, particularly those in the agribusiness and construction materials manufacturing sectors, are invited to contact Macefield or the Special Economic Zones Planning, Promotion, and Development Agency (AEZ) regarding their establishment in this park. In addition to the Maloukou Industrial and Commercial Park, investors are expected who, like those in the Pointe-Noire, Oyo-Ollombo, and Ouesso SEZs, could contribute to the development of the Igné SEZ. Our main challenge in developing this zone lies in ensuring a stable, dedicated, and high-quality energy source. 

Regarding the development of the Pointe-Noire SEZ, the Republic of Congo and the Arise IIP Group signed, on October 4, 2022, a framework agreement endorsed by a development agreement signed between the Planning, Promotion and Development Agency of SEZs and the company Plateformes Industrielles du Congo Pointe-Noire, PICP in acronym, a Joint-Venture born from the framework agreement signed between Congo and the Arise IIP Group.

In addition, several authorizations for the implementation of this project have been issued to the company PICP in order to allow it to begin these works; these include obtaining the certificate of conformity of the environmental and social impact studies, obtaining a forestry permit issued by the Ministry of Forest Economy intended to ensure the supply of wood to the SEZ, and decrees under the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics for the production of water and electricity.

The Pointe-Noire Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project is progressing according to the specifications submitted to the developer. To date, the construction of roads, urban development, and civil engineering works within the SEZ are nearing completion. The first phase of the electrical grid connection, including lighting for the entire SEZ, is underway. The second phase, involving the construction of a high-voltage power line, has begun with the signing of a power supply contract between the Congo Electric Power Plant (CEP) and the company PICP. In light of the above, the construction of the Pointe-Noire SEZ is not a myth, as some might believe.

Like the Pointe-Noire SEZ, the development of the Oyo-Ollombo SEZ was entrusted to the Arise IIP Group with the Framework Agreement signed on October 4, 2022 with the Republic of Congo.

The only investor established to date in this economic zone is COFCAO Farming, a company specializing in the production of chocolate paste. The foundation stone for the factory was laid in October 2022. Located in one of the country's strategic regions, the Ouesso Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was also awarded to the Arise IIP Group for its development following a framework agreement signed between the Group and the Republic of Congo for the development of this SEZ.

Several industrial companies, including SPECTECH, have expressed interest in investing in this SEZ. Agreements and contracts are currently being drafted for final approval and award.

Which countries have you partnered with in the context of developing SEZs?

The Republic of Congo, within the framework of its activities related to special economic zones, has developed partnerships with the People's Republic of China, Mauritius, Gabon, Togo, Rwanda, and Benin. Today, steps have been taken to join the African Economic Zones Organisation (AEZO). This will allow us to broaden our partnership base to include other African countries developing special economic zones.