Residents of the Kasaï-Central province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are facing a shortage of drinking water. According to a study conducted by the German Cooperation (GIZ) in partnership with the provincial Ministry of Planning, only 10% of the population of the province have access to drinking water. In response to this situation, the governor of the province, John Kabeya Shikayi, is currently on a mission to Paris, France, to meet with representatives of SUEZ International. The French giant specializing in water treatment plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with the province of Kasaï-Central.
This partnership would allow the inhabitants of this province to benefit from the expertise of SUEZ International, which is present in 40 countries, including Côte d’Ivoire and Mali in Africa. With 160 years of experience, SUEZ International provides innovative solutions to enable its customers to provide the population with essential water and waste services. In 2022, the company provided drinking water to 68 million people worldwide and sanitation services to more than 37 million people. SUEZ International is also committed to ecological transition by involving its users.
The province of Kasaï-Central, which covers an area of 58,368 km², has nearly three million inhabitants. The lack of drinking water is a major obstacle to its development. This collaboration with SUEZ International could therefore contribute to giving new impetus to the region.
The DRC has also entered into partnerships with other companies to solve its development problems. Perse, one of the main motorcycle suppliers, recently donated 30 motorcycles to strengthen education in the region. However, the challenges remain numerous, the province of Kasaï-Central still faces serious insecurity which could compromise the implementation of the memorandum of understanding. However, it is time to provide a lasting solution to the population and put an end to this precarious situation with regard to drinking water.