** MBANZA-NGUNGU, an initiative for entrepreneurship in the heart of university research **
On May 30, 2025, the MBANZA-NGUNGU university community participated in a significant conference, illustrating the development of entrepreneurship in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Organized by Kongo University (UK) and the I & F Entrepreneurship organization, this meeting saw the presentation of a database provided by the World Bank, specifically dedicated to Congolese entrepreneurship. A decisive moment for students and researchers, faced with challenges to access precise and reliable information.
### The importance of reliable data in research
Ms. Zouhour Karray, manager of the transform project, stressed the importance of databases in the academic research process. Indeed, access to quality data is often a major obstacle for students. The latter encounter difficulties in obtaining relevant results without reliable sources of information. The availability of these new resources should, she hopes, transform the way in which research is carried out within the university.
The initiative presented at the conference is not limited to a simple provision of data. It reflects a broader desire for modernization and support for students in their academic and professional journey. By introducing surveys relating to various themes such as gender, technological adoption, climate change, and digital skills, the project offers a framework that could feed a rich and diverse research.
## Implications for education and entrepreneurship
The rector of Kongo University, Professor Germain Kuna Maba, stressed that the results of research from this database could serve as a springboard for students wishing to embark on entrepreneurship. However, this encouraging perspective raises important questions: how will these data be used by students? Will they have the training necessary to interpret this information and apply it effectively in the Congolese context?
It is also relevant to wonder if the enthusiasm aroused by this digital transition will be accompanied by concrete solutions to overcome the structural challenges encountered by young entrepreneurs in the DRC. Entrepreneurial culture in the country, while being evolving, faces obstacles such as lack of funding, political instability, and an often deficient infrastructure. The role of academics, as researchers and trainers, will be crucial to articulate responses adapted to these issues.
### Precious cooperation
The conference was also marked by the presence of various key players, including the transforming project coordinator, M. Alexis Mangala, and Professor Val Masamba, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the I & F Entrepreneurship. This diversity of actors opens the way to enriching cooperation between the university environment and the private sector, promoting a synergy that could benefit the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Central Kongo.
It is essential that this dynamic is not an end in itself, but rather the beginning of a constant dialogue between the different actors involved. Student feedback on the use of this data, as well as the implementation of partnerships with local businesses to support young entrepreneurs, could play a decisive role in the sustainability of this initiative.
### Conclusion
This event in MBANZA-NGUNGU represents more than a simple conference; It is part of a collective desire to stimulate research and entrepreneurship in the DRC. While rejoicing about these advances, it is essential to keep in mind the challenges that persist and to consider how the resources made available can help build a solid and integrated innovation trajectory.
In short, the MBANZA-NGUNGU university community is at a turning point. Commitment to reliable databases and rigorous studies is a step in the right direction. But it remains to think collectively on the means of optimizing these resources and aligning the actions undertaken with the realities on the ground, so that the Congolese economy fully benefits from the potential of its young entrepreneurs.