In 2024, a quiet but decisive political revolution began in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Faced with growing public health concerns, pressures on food systems, and the erosion of traditional diets, the Comité national pour la Promotion de l’Agriculture familiale en RDC (CNPAF-RDC) took action. Through rigorous research and persistent advocacy, CNPAF-RDC played a central role in drafting a national bill on nutrition and food security — a milestone for food sovereignty in the country.
The draft law responds to critical gaps identified by CNPAF-RDC, including weak protection of local food systems, lack of nutrition guidelines, and unsafe practices around processed foods. Its provisions call for: national nutrition guidelines that promote nutrient-rich local foods; stronger food safety standards; legal recognition and protection of traditional foods and food systems; public education on healthy diets; and support for small-scale producers and vendors.
Backed by the Ministry of Agriculture and presented to parliament, the bill has already transformed advocacy into government action. It is also anchored in AFSA’s My Food is African campaign, which in DRC has mobilized communities through dialogues, school programs, media outreach, and the annual Festival of Traditional and Local Foods (FESTAL). The bill now provides these initiatives with legal weight and long-term impact.
For CNPAF-RDC, this is not only about law but also about dignity, justice, and sustainability. If adopted, the legislation will protect indigenous food systems, ensure safer and more nutritious diets, and affirm that food is both a human right and a foundation of sovereignty.
