The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is taking a strategic step towards the transformation of its agricultural sector by announcing the recruitment of an international firm to operate and develop centers dedicated to youth entrepreneurship in agri-business. This recruitment is part of the Governance and Skills Development Support Project, financed by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). This project aims to support the operationalization of the pillars of the DRC’s Agricultural Transformation Program (PTA), with a particular focus on creating opportunities for young people in agriculture and agro-industry.
A strategic investment for Congolese agriculture
The financing granted by the AfDB to the Congolese Government as part of the Governance and Skills Development Support Program (PAGDC-PTA) represents an essential investment for the transformation of the agricultural sector in the DRC. The objective is to improve the competitiveness and productivity of this key sector of the Congolese economy, while promoting job creation and the modernization of agricultural practices. The recruitment of an international firm is a crucial step for the operationalization of the program and the development of the structures necessary for training young people in innovative agricultural professions.
The Centers for the Promotion of Youth Entrepreneurship in Agro-Business (CPEJAB) as well as the Community Centers for the Development of Innovative Agricultural Professions (CCDMAI) will be at the heart of this initiative. These structures will have the mission of training, accompanying and supporting young entrepreneurs in the implementation of agro-industrial projects. By relying on international expertise, the DRC hopes to create an environment conducive to innovation in the agricultural sector, and thus accelerate the transition to a more modern and productive agriculture.
A partnership with the African Development Bank to achieve the objectives of the PTA program
The PAGDC-PTA project represents the first major contribution of the African Development Bank Group to the operationalization of pillars III and IV of the Agricultural Transformation Program (PTA) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These pillars aim to strengthen the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and improve labor efficiency in this area, while promoting a more attractive investment climate.
The AfDB, through this financing, therefore supports the ambitions of the Congolese government to address the structural challenges of the agricultural sector, such as the low level of mechanization, inefficient management of natural resources, and persistent poverty in rural areas. By facilitating access to technical skills and entrepreneurship opportunities, this project aims to directly respond to the needs of young people, who represent a significant part of the Congolese population.
The role of the international firm in the operationalization of the project
The mission of the selected international firm will be to guarantee the proper functioning of the CPEJAB and CCDMAI in the DRC. This includes the establishment of training processes, the development of partnerships with local agricultural companies, as well as supporting young entrepreneurs in the management of their agro-industrial projects. In addition, the firm will have to ensure the implementation of an inclusive approach, by involving local communities in the process of developing the centers and ensuring that the training offered is in line with market needs and realities. agricultural sectors of the country.
One of the key objectives of the project is to strengthen the resilience of Congolese agriculture by encouraging more sustainable and efficient agricultural models, particularly in terms of natural resource management, reduction of post-harvest losses, and development of agricultural value chains. In addition, this project aims to stimulate the creation of sustainable jobs in the agricultural sector and strengthen youth entrepreneurship, a crucial sector for the economic and social stability of the DRC.
An important step towards the modernization of agriculture in the DRC
The project to support the operationalization of Youth Entrepreneurship Promotion Centers in Agro-Business represents a decisive step in the transformation of agriculture in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By investing in training young people and providing them with opportunities in agribusiness, the DRC seeks to respond to current challenges in the agricultural sector and build a solid foundation for the future. Thanks to this financing from the African Development Bank and the expertise of the international firm, Congolese agriculture could reinvent itself, thus generating new sources of wealth and contributing to the creation of sustainable jobs for future generations.
Moctar FICUU / VivAfrik
