** Vodacom Congo and awareness of road safety: an investment in the future **
On May 28, 2025, Vodacom Congo organized an awareness session on road safety for students from the Les Loupiots school complex in Kinshasa. This event, which is part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the company, aims to instill in young people the essential road safety rules and to emancipate them as an ambassadors of change within their community.
Vodacom Congo’s commitment to the well-being of local communities is commendable and underlines an often neglected aspect of corporate development: training and education of young people. Indeed, beyond investment in infrastructure and technologies, it is crucial to address behavior and mentalities. David Okitosomba’s Declaration, Health, Security and Risk Management, indicates that “investing in the education of children on road safety is investing in the more sure future for all”. This affirmation raises a relevant question: how can educational initiatives really influence the behavior of future drivers and pedestrians?
Statistics on road safety in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reveal a worrying reality. According to recent data, road accidents are one of the main causes of mortality, especially among young people. By raising awareness among Les Loupiots school students, Vodacom Congo seeks to initiate a change in behavior from an early age. This preventive approach is crucial in a country where formal education can sometimes be limited to the infrastructural and economic challenges.
However, the effectiveness of such initiatives depends largely on the continuity and integration of these lessons in the daily life of students. It is essential that parents and the teacher community are also involved in this process in order to create an environment of support conducive to learning responsible behavior. How to establish a synergy between school, family and community for such a program to have a lasting impact?
Beyond awareness of road safety, Vodacom Congo does not limit his commitment to this problematic. The company has also made efforts in the energy transition, with the deployment of nearly 900 solar sites in rural areas and a significant dematerialization of its administrative processes. These initiatives show a desire to act for sustainability and socio-economic development, but also raise questions about the company’s ability to balance its investments.
It is obvious that Vodacom Congo positions himself as a key player in the development of the country, but is it sufficient to act punctually on social issues to predict a fundamental change? A more systemic approach, encompassing partnerships with other actors from civil society, NGOs and public institutions, could enrich these initiatives and maximize its impact.
The training actions of young people and those undertaken by Vodacom Congo are essential to create conscious and responsible citizens, but they require a broader support framework. The behavior on the road, whether individual or collective, are often a reflection of a security culture. Thus, the question of the sustainability of lessons learned in schools remains fundamental. Companies like Vodacom Congo, while playing a driving role, could also encourage collective reflection around public policies relating to road safety.
In conclusion, Vodacom Congo’s initiative to educate young people about road safety is a step in the right direction. It highlights the need to teach our children the safe and responsible behavior. However, it is vital to think about the future, to question how tools and knowledge can be integrated permanently, and above all, how the whole community can get involved in this educational process. Each child sensitized today is actually a potential prevention player tomorrow, but so that they become real ambassadors of change, a common and structured effort is essential. This challenge calls for a collective reflection and a shared commitment to build a safer environment for everyone.