**The PADMPME Project in the DRC: Support towards a prosperous future for entrepreneurs**
The Support Project for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (PADMPME) in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been a real gateway to a prosperous future for the country’s entrepreneurs. Launched in 2018 for a period of five years, the main objective of this project was to promote entrepreneurship and job creation, particularly for young people and women, in the cities of Kinshasa, Matadi, Goma and Lubumbashi. Thanks to technical and financial support from the World Bank, PADMPME has brought significant results and contributed significantly to the development of the small and medium enterprise sector in the DRC.
The figures presented during the validation workshop of the project completion report reveal the positive impact that PADMPME has had on the Congolese entrepreneurial ecosystem. Nearly 7,720 women benefited from training and equipment support, while 1,395 young entrepreneurs saw their capacities strengthened and 951 of them were subsidized. These results attest to the commitment of the Congolese government, under the leadership of Mrs. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, to supporting the development of SMEs and creating an environment conducive to entrepreneurship.
The National Coordinator of the project, Alexis Mangala Ngongo, stressed the importance of promoting the economic initiatives of micro, small and medium enterprises, particularly those led by young people and women. PADMPME has been a real catalyst for growth for these companies, helping them grow and create jobs in key sectors such as light industry, agro-processing and services.
The World Bank representative praised the success of the project and stressed the importance of understanding the factors that contributed to its success. This project served as a model for the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the DRC and demonstrated that supporting micro, small and medium-sized businesses can have a significant impact on the country’s economy.
In conclusion, PADMPME was much more than a simple project to support entrepreneurs in the DRC. It has been a vector of change, an engine of growth and a catalyst for jobs for the country’s youth and women. Thanks to the commitment and determination of the actors involved, this project has paved the way towards a prosperous and entrepreneurial future for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
**Be ready for change and the future of entrepreneurship in the DRC!**