The Congolese government in partnership with NGO CODIDIS, have launched an initiative that will see essential agricultural goods being sold at affordable rates, at selected markets across the capital Kinshasa
Already the impact of this initiative could be observed on Thursday 21 May 2020, after a large number of consumers flocked the popular market of Somba Zigida to take advantage of the new and low prices set by the government.
A 25 kg bag of semolina which was selling for 35000fc for example, could now be purchased at 28000fc. A bag of cassava went down from 80000fc to 46000fc. The price of tomato also saw a decrease with one batch costing 30000fc, down from the previous price of 48000fc. At the time these produce were being sold, the Congolese currency was trading at 1850fc to the USD.
Speaking at the launch, the minister of economy Acacia Bandubola, who just recently recovered from the corronavirus, told the media that the initiative was part of President Felix Tshisekedi's emergency program to prevent food shortage in the capital. She also added that the initiative will be a weekly event, taking place at the market of Somba Zigida, Matete, UPN and Kingasani.
The Congolese economy is currently under pressure due to the effect of the corronavirus, with the local currency losing so much of its value and prices of some essential goods ( which are mostly imported) going up.
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