Entrepreneurship: selling empty cardboard boxes, a profitable business in Kinshasa

Kinshasa, December 11^th, 2025 (CPA). – On Thursday, during an interview, an entrepreneur presented the sale of empty cardboard boxes as a profitable business and a means of supporting his family in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). “Selling empty cardboard boxes helps me provide for my family, send my children to school, and pay the rent. I’ve been in this business for five years; for me, it’s a profitable business,” said Véna Munsala, cardboard box seller and entrepreneur. According to him, selling cardboard boxes is a thriving business in the capital, despite facing several challenges, particularly related to competition. “We have a lot of competitors in this sector. I don’t really have a choice, because in any field of activity, there is always competition,” he said, adding, however, that customer demand remained high. He explained that the boxes, which are sold in different sizes, are mainly supplied by industrial companies, which are their source of supply. “Sales volume is significant, with more than 1,000 boxes sold. This high demand demonstrates the usefulness of cardboard boxes in various sectors, including transportation, trade, and storage of goods,” she said. He noted that there were periods of stock shortages caused by the temporary unavailability of suppliers. He added that the rainy season is a major obstacle given the sensitivity of cardboard to water, while pointing out that “storage conditions are inadequate.” “Despite these constraints, the sale of cardboard boxes remains an important source of income for many traders and continues to contribute to the local economy in Kinshasa,” he concluded. ACP/