The French Development Agency (AFD) plays an essential role in the development of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with a significant increase in its overall envelope in recent years. According to the Deputy Minister of Finance, O’Neige N’Sele, AFD funding increased from 106.4 million euros in 2013 to 370 million euros in 2023, an increase of more than 200%. .
This increase demonstrates the growing importance of cooperation between France and the DRC. The first partnership agreements between the two countries were signed in 1976, and since then, AFD has expanded its areas of intervention. Initially focused on education, vocational training, water and sanitation, as well as administrative and financial governance, AFD has extended its interventions to new sectors such as the environment, gender, health, digital and agriculture.
In 2023, AFD added three new sectors to its list of interventions, namely energy, urban planning and development, higher education, and sports and culture. This diversification demonstrates AFD’s commitment to supporting the economic and social development of the DRC in key areas.
However, despite this significant funding, challenges remain regarding the optimal use of these funds. The DRC faces major and urgent development needs which have not yet been fully met. To remedy this situation, the Congolese government recently organized a consultation meeting with donors in order to take stock of the projects and put in place an action plan to improve the quality of achievements and optimize deliverables. .
The Deputy Minister of Finance underlined the importance of this review of the AFD project portfolio and expressed her desire to improve the well-being of the Congolese populations through concrete development projects.
In conclusion, the overall envelope of the French Development Agency intended for the DRC has seen a significant increase over the last ten years, demonstrating France’s commitment to supporting the development of this country. However, efforts remain to be made to better use this funding and meet the development needs of the DRC.