The sound of excitement rises in the elegant Pullman Hotel in Kinshasa this Tuesday, October 8, 2024, as the Minister of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Small and Medium Industries, Louis Watum, takes the floor to announce the launch of the Business Plan Competitions. A major event that promises to boost the Congolese economic sector and support local entrepreneurs.
Under the watchful eyes of many dignitaries and authorities present, the Minister unveils the online platform dedicated to these ambitious competitions. A platform designed to inform, guide and support candidates throughout the application and selection process. A step forward towards increased transparency and enhanced accessibility for budding entrepreneurs.
The Business Plan Competitions, also known as COPA-TRANSFORME, are orchestrated by a consortium of key economic development actors in the DRC, namely Deloitte (DRC), I&F Entrepreneuriat (DRC) and Kivu Entrepreneurs (DRC). Their mission? To strengthen the entrepreneurial capacities of new businesses and established SMEs, while promoting their growth and performance through tailored financial and non-financial support.
This ambitious initiative aims to accelerate the growth of high-potential entrepreneurs, fully integrating them into local value chains to stimulate the transformation of the Congolese economy. More than just an economic approach, these competitions are committed to contributing to job creation and stability for the most vulnerable populations, with particular attention to women entrepreneurs.
The targeted companies will operate in key sectors such as light industry, agri-food processing, or high value-added services. A strategic approach aimed at diversifying the entrepreneurial ecosystem and fostering innovation and competitiveness in the long term.
At the heart of this initiative, a clear ambition: to support 800 SMEs and 3,050 new businesses over a period of three years, from September 2024 to June 2027. With a goal of gender parity among the winners and a particular focus on climate resilience, these competitions are intended to be inclusive and sustainable, in line with the challenges of sustainable development and equal opportunities.
The provisional schedule announces a deployment in three successive cohorts: the first will focus on SMEs established from November 2024, followed by two cohorts dedicated to new businesses during the first and second quarters of 2025. A sustained pace for a renewed and ambitious entrepreneurial dynamic.
By offering personalized technical support and targeted financial support, these competitions aim to promote investment, job creation and innovation within the Congolese entrepreneurial fabric. A holistic approach that aims to sustainably strengthen the SME ecosystem and support the country’s economic growth.
In a context where the empowerment of women entrepreneurs and the upgrading of small and medium-sized enterprises are major issues for economic development in the DRC, these competitions are essential levers to support local entrepreneurship and promote inclusive and sustainable growth.
In conclusion, the Business Plan Competitions promise to be a game-changer for the Congolese business landscape, offering a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their potential, drive innovation, and contribute to the economic development of the country.