In Loudima, located in the central southern region of the Republic of the Congo, Eni has launched the country’s first industrial scale vegetable oil extraction plant. This facility initiates Congo’s entry into the global biofuel production chain and is part of Eni’s broader sustainable mobility strategy. The project was officially inaugurated in the presence of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and a delegation of Eni representatives led by Guido Brusco, Eni’s Chief Operating Officer of Global Natural Resources and General Manager.
Industrial Biofuel Production Begins in Loudima
The newly established Loudima agri-hub is designed to produce 30,000 tons of vegetable oil annually. The oil will be utilized in Enilive’s biorefineries for the production of biofuel, intended to support the decarbonization of transport systems. This development aligns with Eni’s strategic objective of achieving net zero emissions from its operations and products by 2050. The vegetable oil used in this process will be derived from oil crops cultivated on degraded and underutilized land, or through intercropping practices. The agricultural model adopted reflects a regenerative approach, developed in collaboration with local stakeholders.
Regulatory Compliance and Sustainability Protocols
The vegetable oils produced at the agri-hub are certified in accordance with the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED). This certification ensures adherence to standards concerning traceability, environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation and protection of human rights and labor conditions. These protocols form the backbone of the project’s operational framework, underpinning the environmental and social accountability measures tied to biofuel production.
Support for Local Agro Industrial Development
The initiative is positioned as a stimulus for Congo’s agro industrial sector. Eni is facilitating the local agribusiness value chain by introducing mechanization services and distributing improved seed varieties. The agricultural component of the project will deploy around 200 machines, of which half have already been imported and are being deployed in the ongoing agricultural season. Alongside this, Eni has implemented training programs aimed at building local capacity in agricultural mechanization, logistics, and industrial processing.
Approximately 400 tractor operators are expected to be trained, establishing a base of specialized skills within the country’s rural workforce. These human capital development measures are intended to strengthen agricultural productivity while enabling long term socio economic advancement in rural communities.
Livestock Feed Production and Food Security Enhancement
In addition to producing vegetable oil, the Loudima facility will generate vegetable proteins to be used in livestock feed. This output represents a secondary line of development aimed at supporting the agri food sector. The integration of livestock feed into the production mix serves a dual purpose: it creates further economic opportunities within the agricultural supply chain and contributes to improving food security metrics in the region.
Also read: India Approves Potato Research Centre in Agra with $13M Assistance
Alignment with Broader Energy Transition Initiatives
The Loudima agri-hub is part of a suite of activities being implemented by Eni in the Republic of the Congo to support energy transition objectives. Among these is the improved cookstove program, designed to mitigate indoor pollution and reduce dependence on biomass fuels. The program has already reached more than 300,000 people, offering a scalable approach to public health and environmental sustainability.
Eni’s Long Term Engagement in Congo
Eni has maintained a presence in the Republic of the Congo since 1968. Currently, it is the sole entity developing the country’s gas reserves and is responsible for supplying fuel to the Congo Power Plant (CEC), which generates 70% of the national electricity output. In 2023, Eni inaugurated the Oyo Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, further embedding its role in advancing sustainable infrastructure. The company also supports various socio economic programs, including those focused on improving access to healthcare and education, and initiatives aimed at economic diversification.
The launch of the Loudima agri-hub adds a new dimension to Eni’s portfolio in the region, embedding agro industrial development within its broader sustainability framework and expanding the operational landscape of biofuel supply chains.