Social protection programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are being reimagined as catalysts for entrepreneurship, job creation, and income diversification. These initiatives aim to address the nation's demographic and economic challenges, where nearly 73.5% of the population lives on less than $2.15 per day.
The World Bank-supported DRC Eastern Recovery Project (STEP) is making strides in South Ubangi by transforming social protection efforts into platforms for economic empowerment. By integrating cash transfers with financial literacy and entrepreneurship training, STEP is equipping individuals to contribute actively to local economic growth.
Venus Madumba from Gemena exemplifies this transformation. Once living on less than $20 a month, she leveraged her participation in STEP to start a tailoring business. Her enterprise now includes eight sewing machines and trains over 30 apprentices annually. Venus aims to establish a certified vocational training center, illustrating how strategic support can catalyze community empowerment.
Similarly, Maman Valentine used her STEP project earnings to secure a loan for starting a maize mill, later expanding into pig farming and grain storage. With her business generating around $170 monthly, she has improved her family's financial stability and plans further expansions.
Gilbert's story highlights how structured support can lead to significant entrepreneurial success. From having no steady income, he now runs an aluminum pot-making workshop employing 12 workers. His future plans include doubling his workforce, showcasing how locally rooted industries can drive inclusive growth.
These individual successes are creating broader impacts by fostering job creation and informal training systems while stimulating local economic development. Key factors contributing to these outcomes include practical skills training, access to startup capital, mentorship networks, strong community engagement, flexible program design, and market access.
As the DRC confronts its socioeconomic challenges with an emphasis on empowering individuals and promoting self-reliance through such programs, there is potential for transforming vulnerability into resilience and growth.
This feature was written by: Djekombe Rony Mba Minko, Jordi Gallego-Ayala, Christopher Gabelle and Aissata Coulibaly