Claudine Moukabagwiza, a refugee from Rwanda, has created a sustainable future for herself on a farm in Igné, Congo. She, along with 24 other women, benefited from the Lisungi project, a program providing conditional cash transfers and business grants to transform land into thriving farms. "When we arrived in Congo, we had nothing," Claudine shares. "But the wealth comes from the soil."
The project enabled the women to purchase land, increase production, and set up a savings system. According to the association’s president, they named their group "The Wealth Lies Beneath the Soil," and they aim to expand land ownership, production, and savings while addressing storage and delivery issues.
The Lisungi project went beyond financial assistance, tackling issues such as gender inequality and gender-based violence. It introduced digital payments via mobile money to reduce corruption and ensure transparency.
Launched in 2014 by the Congolese government in collaboration with the World Bank, Lisungi aimed at reducing poverty and strengthening human capital, with a funding of $34 million. It provided conditional cash transfers linked to education and health to approximately 76,000 people, and business grants to over 95,000 individuals. The project officially ended on February 29, 2024, but its legacy continues through Congo’s National Safety Net Program.
The World Bank remains committed to social protection in Congo through projects such as the Social Protection and Youth Productive Inclusion Project. The Lisungi program distinguished itself with a comprehensive single social registry, aiding in the identification and support of vulnerable households.
The project, with an additional $22 million from the World Bank’s IDA18 program, expanded to over 60,000 refugees from various countries. It reduced community tensions and built trust through transparent communication and partnership with organizations such as the UNHCR.
Ensuring inclusive support, Lisungi targeted refugees, indigenous people, the disabled, and others in need. Notable achievements include access to free healthcare for over 71,000 individuals in Likouala, and job training for 900 young people.
For women like Claudine, Lisungi was transformative. "Before Lisungi, I couldn’t meet my basic needs. It helped me put food on the table and pay for my children’s school. This project gave us hope for the future." The social protection initiative is a testament to how strategic partnerships can lead to positive societal changes.