Fatshimetrie, October 21, 2024 – A solid and fruitful partnership between France and the Democratic Republic of Congo was recently illustrated through the projects financed under the debt reduction and development contracts (C2D). Under the supervision of the Congolese Minister of Finance, Mr. Doudou Fwamba, and the French Ambassador to the DRC, Mr. Rémi Maréchaux, the steering and monitoring committee assessed the progress and impact of these initiatives.
The C2D mechanism, set up to enable the DRC to repay its debt to France, has given rise to fruitful cooperation between the two countries. The repaid funds are then reinvested in the form of grants to support new development projects. Since the signing of the first C2D in 2014, followed by another in 2019, significant progress has been made in various key sectors.
During the meeting, various government representatives, including the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Civil Service and the Ministers of National Education, Justice and the Director of the French Development Agency (AFD), were able to see concrete progress in areas such as education, vocational training, access to drinking water and financial governance.
The results obtained thanks to C2D funds have been remarkable: construction of classrooms, financing of teachers’ salaries, training of educational staff, improvement of access to drinking water, and strengthening of financial governance. It should be noted that these achievements have had a significant impact on the Congolese population, by promoting access to education, drinking water and strengthening the capacities of state institutions.
Emphasis was placed on the importance of accelerating the implementation of projects and strengthening coordination between the different actors involved. The French Ambassador highlighted his country’s increased commitment to the DRC, particularly through the 2022-2025 Protocol for a strategic partnership for sustainable and inclusive growth.
The AFD Group has particularly distinguished itself by exceeding its financial commitments, thus demonstrating its increased support for the DRC. With financing of nearly 530 million euros over four years, the AFD Group has deployed all its expertise to support the DRC in its quest for inclusive and sustainable growth.
This partnership between the DRC and France, framed by an ambitious memorandum of understanding for the period 2022-2025, illustrates the shared desire of the two countries to work together for the economic and social development of Congo. Thanks to this fruitful collaboration, the DRC benefits from solid support to meet the challenges that stand in its way to a better future.