Former Congolese Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Adrien Bokele Djema, now a national deputy, has reacted to criticism from his successor, Jean-Pierre Tshimanga Buana, regarding the adaptation of fishing boats ordered by the government. In an interview on September 22, 2026, Bokele attributed difficulties in exploiting the vessels to several factors, including delays in installing cold chains, crew training, and necessary infrastructure development.
Bokele disputed accusations that the boats were acquired without considering Congo's specific waters. He claimed technical studies were conducted before the acquisition process. "Studies were done... We don't have the same marine currents as Angola, but the same boats that work in Angola are the ones ordered here," he stated. Bokele argued that difficulties in exploiting the boats were not solely due to technical characteristics.
The former minister identified the absence or delay of several necessary infrastructure as a major challenge. He cited cold chambers, refrigerated transport, landing infrastructure, and processing units as essential for developing a genuine fisheries value chain. Bokele emphasized that constructing boats should have been accompanied by setting up necessary conservation and transportation infrastructure.
Bokele highlighted the importance of crew preparation, citing the presence of Egyptian captains in Congo and the need for Congolese crew training alongside boat construction and delivery. On the project's cost, Bokele contested publicly reported amounts of $12 or $15 million, stating that certain boat categories were acquired for lower amounts.
According to Bokele, the total cost, including taxes, was $7,877,250. For five boats on the Congo River, the cost was around $8,000,700. He questioned the origin of higher figures cited in public debates. As a national deputy and member of the Environment, Tourism, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development Commission, Bokele believes current difficulties can be resolved through better coordination among sector actors.
In 2023, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, under Bokele's leadership, announced contracts for 15 new industrial fishing boats. The program included boats of various sizes for the Atlantic coast, Lakes Albert and Tanganyika, and the Congo River and its tributaries. Contracts were awarded to Spanish and Congolese-Turkish companies following a public procurement process.
Despite an estimated annual fish potential of 700,000 tons, Congo struggles to fully exploit its resources due to structural and financial challenges. The 2025 budget allocated funds to strengthen the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Office (ONPA), created in June 2023 to support fishing activities. The goal is to increase national production and reduce dependence on imports, which currently reach around 200,000 tons per year.
Key points
- Adrien Bokele disputes accusations of improper planning in the acquisition of fishing boats.
- The project to acquire 15 fishing boats was initiated in 2023 under Bokele's ministry.
- Congo faces challenges in exploiting its fisheries resources due to structural and financial constraints.
