The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Industrial Promotion Fund (FPI) established a two-year partnership on July 11, 2025. This collaboration aims to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC. According to the memorandum of understanding between the two parties, the cooperation framework focused on three priority areas: financial inclusion, strengthening technical capacities, and supporting local entrepreneurship, particularly in agriculture.

The initiative includes direct support for small-scale farmers and artisans, primarily in rural and peri-urban areas. The agreement emphasizes improving access to financing for vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and those in precarious situations, whose projects aim to build agricultural value chains.

Additionally, the partnership involves capacity building for financial service providers. These providers are expected to better support local economic activities and establish themselves in areas underserved by microfinance institutions or savings and credit cooperatives. Support is also planned to strengthen the internal management of incubators and improve the managerial and organizational skills of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

The amounts to be committed under this partnership were not disclosed. The agreement also does not specify the selection criteria for beneficiaries or the geographic distribution of planned interventions.

This partnership aligns with both institutions' previous commitments. In 2023, the Industrial Promotion Fund financed over 80 projects across the country, totaling $115.6 million, with several focused on agro-industry. For its part, since 2019, the UNDP launched the ACTIF program (Action, Change, and Transformation through Financial Inclusion), which focused on access to financial services and supporting agricultural value chains. This new partnership thus builds on areas already tested by both organizations.

Boaz Kabeya (Intern)