The project
Kisantu Diocesan Printing Press Reconstruction Project
Fully reconstructing and equipping a 2,500 m² facility so the press can once again serve the Church, schools, hospitals, and public administration.
Summary
What the project will do
The project seeks to revitalize the Kisantu Diocesan Printing House (formerly SODAC) by fully reconstructing and equipping its 2,500 m² facility. Restoring this infrastructure will enable the institution to resume producing essential printed materials that support church operations, all levels of education, development programs, public health services, public administration, and select private-sector activities. The rebuilt structure will include technical rooms, offices, storage areas, and sanitary facilities, with major work required to replace the walls, roofing, and interior finishes.
The site is located in Kisantu, capital of the Diocese, 120 km from Kinshasa — diagonally opposite the Bishop's Palace, on land that has belonged to the printing works since 1922. Once the necessary funds are secured, the work will be completed within 12 months, including the handover period.
Country
Democratic Republic of Congo
Duration
12 months from funding
Surface
2,000 – 2,500 m²
Total cost
$5,000,000 USD
Background
From 101 years of service to ashes
Operations were halted in June 2023 after a devastating fire destroyed the building and its equipment. As the only industrial production unit serving the Diocese and surrounding communities, its loss deeply affected religious, public, and private institutions that relied on its services. Irreplaceable archives of the Diocese and of national history were lost with it.
In the aftermath, a strong collective call for rehabilitation emerged from local residents and members of the Lukaya District diaspora in Kinshasa, Europe, and America. A dedicated forum brought stakeholders together to reaffirm the importance of this facility and to outline strategies for its restoration, including community contributions and support from development partners.
In Kisantu alone, nearly 30 secondary schools with technical departments — Printing, Biochemistry, Machine Tools, General Mechanics — depend on the facility to host students for professional internships.
Design
The new facility
Production area
- Prepress room for graphic preparation and layouts
- Printing room: offset presses, digital presses, rotary press
- Finishing room: guillotines, folding machines, industrial staplers, binding
- Paper and consumables storage
- Finished product storage
Administrative area
- Reception
- Management office
- Administrative secretariat
- Accounting and invoicing office
- Meeting room
- Technical office for layout artists, graphic designers and editors
Ancillary infrastructure
- Archives and documentation
- Modern restrooms (men's / women's / staff)
- Cafeteria and staff break area
- Staff and visitor parking
- Generator and technical room
- Surveillance, fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency exits
Planning matrix
Expected results and activities
Result 1
The buildings are rebuilt
- Technical study on architectural and technical standards
- Open tender, company selection, and contract signing
- Preparation of specifications
- Purchase and supply of materials
- Opening and installation of the construction site
- Monitoring of work compliance
- Evaluation, acceptance, and final work report
Result 2
The press is equipped with high-tech machinery
- Market research with three suppliers on quality, durability, cost and after-sales service
- Selection and order placement
- Reception and installation of equipment
Result 3
Quality service is delivered to the sector
- Recruitment of staff, especially young university graduates
- Training of administrative, managerial and technical staff
- Supply of materials; implementation of advertising and marketing
Objectives
General: contribute to the development of the evangelization mission and to the efficiency of the administration and operation of public and private services within the area of the Diocese of Kisantu.
Specific: strengthen the operational capacity of the press to provide quality service to nearly 1,500 consumers and to support the religious, social, environmental, and economic sectors of the former Lukaya district.
Budget
Construction budget
| Technical and architectural studies | $250,000 |
| Construction work | $3,500,000 |
| Exterior landscaping and security | $250,000 |
| Sanitary infrastructure and annexes | $300,000 |
| Fees, supervision, contingencies | $700,000 |
| Total construction | $5,000,000 USD |
Note: the equipment project (printing machines and materials) will be the subject of a separate document, once construction is completed.
Discuss partnership