The Regulatory Authority for Subcontracting in the Private Sector (ARSP), the Guarantee Fund for Entrepreneurship in Congo (FOGEC), Rawbank, and Rawsur have launched a national financing program to support Congolese subcontractors in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

Presented to Prime Minister Judith Suminwa on Oct. 6, 2025, the initiative aims to make it easier for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access financing so they can compete for contracts and deliver on them. Loan amounts will range from $10,000 to $1 million, depending on each company’s size and capacity, the Prime Minister’s office said.

Rawbank will provide the funding through its “$20,000 SMEs” program, which has a total budget of $200 million dedicated to integrating local SMEs into the value chains of major corporations. In July, Rawbank Director Rawji Mustafa said during a meeting with the ARSP that 8,000 SMEs had already benefited from the facility. The ARSP will now focus on helping finance the remaining 12,000 businesses, drawing on its market oversight expertise to identify credible SMEs and provide them with tailored support.

ARSP Director General Miguel Kashal said the initiative will not only finance SMEs but also ensure prompt payments by main contractors, helping to stimulate growth. “We will share the list of subcontractors who have won contracts with Rawbank,” Kashal said. “The goal is to help these entrepreneurs grow into major players, because it’s impossible to build strong businesses without support from the banks.”

FOGEC will guarantee the loans, reducing risk for Rawbank and boosting the financial sector’s confidence in local businesses. A monitoring system will also be set up to ensure that funds are properly managed and that the funded projects remain viable.

Ronsard Luabeya