Key Takeaways
- The African Development Bank Group has allocated a $117.9 million loan to the Democratic Republic of Congo for the Agriculture Transformation Programme.
- This initiative, supported by the African Development Fund and Transition Support Facility, aims to enhance governance and entrepreneurship in agriculture.
- Key project activities include conducting feasibility studies for climate-smart investments, developing a “Made in DRC” label, and launching a digital platform.
- Training for 500 trainers and constructing centers for community development and youth entrepreneurship are planned.
- The program targets 25,000 youths and 500 trainers in five provinces to foster skills in sustainable agriculture and agribusiness.
Strategic Investment in Agricultural Development
The African Development Bank Group, on 14 February 2024, approved a $117.9 million loan to the Democratic Republic of Congo. This funding is part of the Project to Support Governance and Skills Development, which is integral to the Agriculture Transformation Programme (PTA). The loan combines resources from the African Development Fund and the Transition Support Facility, the latter supporting countries facing fragility and conflict.
Enhancing Sectoral Governance and Entrepreneurship
Serge N’Guessan, African Development Bank Director-General for Central Africa, highlighted the project’s goals, stating, “This project is to support agricultural transformation in the Democratic Republic of Congo through the improvement of sectoral governance and the quality of labour and by promoting entrepreneurship in agricultural value chains to support the agricultural transformation programme.” He further emphasized the project’s role in stimulating the private sector, attracting foreign direct investment, and generating employment in the agricultural sector, which has significant untapped potential.
Project Deliverables and Beneficiaries
The project includes a feasibility study for a one-stop shop for climate-smart agricultural investment permits and licenses facilitated by the National Investment Promotion Agency. It also aims to promote a “Made in DRC” label and establish a digital platform for the organization of sector actors through agricultural inter-professional organizations.
Training initiatives will equip 500 trainers with entrepreneurship, agricultural production, processing, and conflict management skills. Additionally, the project will construct two community centers and four centers for youth agribusiness entrepreneurship, focusing on sustainable, climate-smart agriculture.
Geographic Focus and Target Demographics
Focusing on ten decentralized territorial entities across Kongo Central, Kasaï Oriental, Tshopo, Nord-Ubangi, and Sud-Ubangi provinces, the project aims to directly benefit 25,000 young individuals (50% of whom are women) and 500 trainers (with an equal gender distribution). This initiative seeks to build capacities in sustainable agricultural practices and agribusiness management.
Photo by Valdhy Mbemba on Unsplash
