The Belgian development agency Enabel announced on June 17, 2025, that it has mobilized €2.7 million (around $3 million) to “sustainably improve” access to financing for entrepreneurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The funding will support a 30-month program implemented in partnership with the Financial Inclusion Fund (FPM ASBL), a multi-donor fund that provides tailored technical assistance to financial institutions serving micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and low-income populations.

The initiative aims to develop long-term solutions for inclusive finance and to act as a catalyst for more equitable and participatory economic development. It will focus on strengthening the capacity of financial institutions to tailor their services to the specific needs of entrepreneurs. This includes a particular focus on youth, women, and high-potential SMEs.

In parallel, the program will offer training in business management and financial literacy. This training aims to help entrepreneurs qualify for formal financial services. The program also plans to enhance coordination among local entrepreneurial ecosystem players, with tighter monitoring of partnership initiatives. The program will target six provinces: Kinshasa, Haut-Katanga, Lualaba, Tshopo, Kasaï Oriental, and Sud-Ubangi.

Enabel already operates several initiatives in the DRC to support entrepreneurship. In Lubumbashi and Kolwezi, the Boost Camp program supports 20 SMEs through coaching and training. In Kinshasa, K-Impact assists 100 MSMEs, while Kin Emploi promotes youth employment. In Mbuji-Mayi, the Incubakor initiative backs young project leaders.

Belgium’s 2023 to 2027 bilateral cooperation program with the DRC amounts to €250 million. Enabel is also implementing donor-funded projects worth about €105 million, including funds from the European Union.

Ronsard Luabeya, stagiaire