Fabrizio Romano confirmed the agreement between the two clubs, reporting that Ahoka is now on his way to complete a move to the Stadium of Light. The 20-year-old joined Antwerp last year and is under contract with the Belgian club until the summer of 2029.
Ahoka has made a strong start to the new season, starting both of Antwerp's opening league fixtures and registering an assist in a 2-1 win over SK Beveren. He was left out of Antwerp's squad for their match against Genk on Friday, a decision that came at the same time as reports of the impending transfer first emerged.
According to Belgian media, the fee is expected to exceed the equivalent of £8.6m, with Antwerp also securing a sell-on clause as part of the agreement.
Sunderland strengthened the same area of the pitch heavily last summer, bringing in Habib Diarra, Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki as the club won promotion back to the Premier League and then established themselves in Europe in their first season back.
Sadiki's rapid impact after arriving from the Belgian Pro League is understood to have encouraged Sunderland to return to the same market for Ahoka, who is regarded as one of the most promising young defensive midfielders to emerge from Belgian football this year, having also caught the eye at this summer's Toulon Tournament.
Ahoka signed for Antwerp from AC Normands in DR Congo last year and has made just four senior appearances for the Belgian club to date, though his early performances this season, including his composure in possession and range of passing from a deep-lying role, have been enough to convince Sunderland to move decisively.
Regis Le Bris' side have been targeting a further addition to midfield throughout the closing stages of the window, and Ahoka's arrival would represent the club's latest bet on emerging Belgian Pro League talent following last year's success story.