• Rawbank selected as one of ten banks to manage grants for World Bank-funded women entrepreneur program in DRC
• Partnership will facilitate $70 million in subsidies to 3,850 businesses, with 60% of SMEs targeting women-led companies
• Bank leverages Lady's First program supporting 2,000+ women entrepreneurs and 46% growth in SME lending to $225 million

The Democratic Republic of Congo's largest bank has secured a key role in the World Bank's ambitious women entrepreneur empowerment program, positioning itself to manage millions in grants while expanding its small business customer base.

Rawbank signed a partnership agreement on September 12 with the Transforme project to manage grants awarded through its business plan competition (Copa), becoming the first of 10 selected financial institutions to formalize the arrangement. The remaining banks, unnamed, are expected to sign similar deals in the coming days.

Strategic Grant Management Role

Under the agreement, Transforme will deposit grant funds with Rawbank based on how many Copa winners choose the institution to house their awards. The bank will open dedicated accounts or sub-accounts for recipients and provide tailored support, including relaxed conditions for accessing additional financial services like invoice discounting and leasing.

Rawbank will also leverage its expertise and network to facilitate credit access and build entrepreneurial capacity specifically for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly women-led businesses.

Building on Proven Track Record

The partnership builds on Rawbank's established SME support infrastructure. Through its Lady's First program, the bank already supports over 2,000 women entrepreneurs, while its SME loan portfolio surged 46% to $225 million in 2024 via the 20,000 SMEs program implemented with the Financial Inclusion Fund.

"This partnership represents a unique opportunity to catalyze the entrepreneurial energy of Congolese women and build a more resilient, modern, and equitable economic fabric," said Rawbank Deputy General Manager Christian Kamanzi.

Massive Scale Across 13 Provinces

Transforme aims to subsidize 3,850 businesses across the DRC, including 800 SMEs with 60% targeting women-led companies. The program has already selected 1,154 companies for nearly $70 million in total subsidies, with selections continuing.

Launched in June 2022 with a $295 million budget split between loans and grants, Transforme operates across 13 provinces through September 2027. The initiative offers financial aid, improves financing access, and enhances working conditions through dedicated business centers.

For Rawbank, the partnership offers customer base expansion and stronger MSME relationships with reduced risk exposure, while advancing the DRC's broader economic transformation goals centered on women entrepreneurship.

Pierre Mukoko and Ronsard Luabeya