**Savings awareness campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo**
The culture of savings is a fundamental pillar for the financial and economic development of communities. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a series of awareness campaigns are underway to encourage the population to adopt this virtuous practice. These initiatives, led by financial institutions and associations, aim to educate and encourage citizens to save for the future.
In the province of South Kivu, more precisely in Walungu and Luhwinja, residents were invited to take the plunge by opening a savings account at the Savings and Credit Cooperative (Coopec). This approach aims to familiarize them with the culture of savings and the benefits it can offer. By introducing digital services, such as managing transactions via telephone, Coopec facilitates access to savings for populations sometimes far from financial centers.
Similarly, in Kinshasa, the National Association of Microfinance Institutions (ANIMF) is leading a national campaign under the theme “Saving to Succeed”. The message is clear: saving is not just a question of income, but a crucial financial discipline to prepare for a stable financial future. The leaders of financial institutions stress the importance of regularly putting aside an amount, however modest, to anticipate future needs and protect against unforeseen events.
Financial education is also at the heart of these campaigns. Young people and women are particularly targeted, with the aim of establishing a culture of savings from a young age. The integration of financial education courses into school curricula is envisaged to raise awareness among young people of the importance of savings and financial planning.
Beyond individual savings, these campaigns aim to promote financial inclusion on a national scale. By engaging in the digitalization of financial services, financial institutions seek to make savings more accessible and support the government in its efforts to increase the financial foresight of the Congolese population.
World Savings Day, celebrated every October 31, is an opportunity to recall the importance of savings as a vector of economic and social development. By encouraging citizens to adopt the culture of savings, these campaigns contribute to strengthening the financial resilience of individuals and communities, paving the way for a more stable and prosperous financial future for all.