American, British, and Congolese officials recently launched significant foreign direct investments in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the groundbreaking of Kiswishi City Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
This event marked the start of construction for a $50 million Pepsi bottling plant and a Congo Petrol fuel depot.
The Kiswishi City SEZ is the DRC’s first private special economic zone, and it will also feature a One-Stop Shop for investor services.
These investments are expected to create thousands of jobs and boost PepsiCo’s presence in the fast-growing Haut-Katanga Province.
India’s Varun Beverages, Pepsi’s largest international bottler, is developing the Pepsi facility on 15 hectares.
Congo Petrol will develop an 8,000 cubic meter petroleum storage facility on seven hectares, enhancing regional fuel supply.
Kiswishi City SEZ is backed by American, British, New Zealand, and Norwegian investors through Rendeavour, an African city builder.
Rendeavour’s projects across Africa have already attracted billions in investment and created tens of thousands of jobs.
U.S. Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn expressed confidence in the long-term investment, while UK Ambassador Alyson King highlighted its alignment with the UK’s vision for African partnerships, focusing on job creation and community benefits.
Professor Jean-Marie Kanda, Senior Advisor to the President of DRC, praised the project for adding immense value to the economy through critical infrastructure and organized new cities.
Preston Mendenhall, Group COO of Rendeavour, emphasized building high-quality infrastructure and an inclusive, environmentally friendly new city for the Congolese people.
Other dignitaries and key businesses were also in attendance, with phase one of the residential estate already 98% sold out.
