Title: Congolese women entrepreneurs: key players in economic development
Introduction :
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country where the economic survival of the populations is largely based on small businesses and informal trade. Women play a preponderant role there, whether in petty trade in front of their plots, in the markets or even as itinerant vendors. Faced with this reality, the Congolese government has identified the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector as an essential lever for inclusive economic growth, regional development, job creation and poverty reduction. In this article, we will highlight the awareness-raising and capacity-building initiatives put in place by Congolese civil society organizations to support women entrepreneurs.
The reform project in favor of women entrepreneurs:
As part of the Support Project for the Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (PADMPME), several Congolese civil society organizations such as the Framework for Consultation of Congolese Women (CAFCO) and the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Congo (AFEECO) received funding from UN Women to carry out awareness-raising and capacity-building activities with market traders in Kinshasa, Kongo-Central, Haut Katanga and Nord-Kivu.
The objectives of this project are to support the growth of SMEs, increase employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people and women, and promote equitable development on a broader basis. Women entrepreneurs thus benefit from specific support, in particular through training sessions on advocacy techniques, the requirements of formal trade, the importance of maintaining a clean environment, etc.
The role of civil society:
Speakers at a press conference highlighted the importance of civil society work in raising awareness and training vendors. Congolese women entrepreneurs not only learned the practicalities of formal trade, but were also encouraged to familiarize themselves with the legal texts and to get in line with the authorities by obtaining the necessary legal documents such as the RCCM (Registre de Commerce et de Crédit Mobilier) and national identification.
Challenges to overcome:
Despite the efforts made by civil society organizations, challenges remain in the implementation of these measures. In particular, the operation of the “one-stop shop” responsible for allocating the necessary documents to sellers is hampered, which makes it difficult to access the legalization of their activities. The speakers stressed the need for urgent intervention to resolve this situation.
Conclusion :
Congolese women entrepreneurs play a crucial role in the country’s economic development. Awareness-raising and capacity-building initiatives put in place by civil society organizations have improved women’s skills in formal trade and encouraged them to comply with laws and regulations. However, further efforts are needed to overcome administrative obstacles and ensure an enabling environment for their development