Representing the Fédération des Entreprises du Congo (FEC), and at the same time a committed player in the Congolese entrepreneurial ecosystem, Lionel Kabeya took part this Thursday, October 20, 2024, in the inauguration of the Pan-African Data Center named Silikin village.

In his address, Lionel Kabeya delivered a poignant speech on the crucial importance of the Startup Act in the Democratic Republic of Congo, recalling the need to take measures to implement Ordinance-Law no. 22/030 of September 08, 2022 on the promotion of entrepreneurship and startups. This ordinance was adopted in the hope of creating an environment conducive to the emergence of national champions. Unfortunately, two years after its signature, this law remains a dead letter.

Retracing his career path, Lionel Kabeya spoke of the many challenges facing Congolese entrepreneurs.

“Among these challenges are limited access to financing, complex administrative procedures and lack of networks. Difficulties that are holding back the development of many promising initiatives”, he enumerated, before
before calling for urgent action.

“I therefore appeal to the public authorities, to players in the ecosystem and to all Congolese to ensure that the Startup Act is finally implemented. Because this law is an essential lever for creating jobs. Startups are engines of growth and employment. It will also foster innovation. New technologies, new products and services to improve everyone’s lives”, he added.

This expert is of the opinion that this creation will also enhance the country’s attractiveness. A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem attracts foreign investors and strengthens the DRC’s international reputation.

Untapped potential

Lionel Kaveya also pointed out that the DRC has immense entrepreneurial potential, with almost 600,000 SMEs by 2022. However, this figure is still well below that of Nigeria, which has over 35 million SMEs.

“The benefits of a Startup Act are not limited to startups. It’s a virtuous circle that benefits everyone: job creation, social impact, improving the daily lives of entrepreneurs and citizens alike. The Startup Act represents a unique opportunity for the DRC to strengthen its economic fabric and become a major player in African innovation. It’s time to turn promises into reality and give Congolese entrepreneurs the means to succeed. “To Pesa Startup Act Chance”, he asserted.

Startup Acts are new, comprehensive legal instruments designed to encourage the creation and development of startups by taking into account their specific needs.

AGNES KAYEMBE

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank’s private sector arm, has pledged to inject financing into energy-related projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The commitment was made during an audience granted to the institution’s delegation by the Congolese Minister of Water Resources and Electricity, Teddy Lwamba, in Kinshasa.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) states that its intervention in this area is part of its “Scaling Made in” program, aimed at attracting investment in mini-grids.

“The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is committed to supporting government policy in the financing of energy projects through our “Scaling Made in” program, which aims to attract investment in mini-grids,” said Mary Porter Pescheka, IFC Head of Delegation and Regional Director for East Africa.

Continuing her speech, she specified that the World Bank subsidiary, through this action, “aims to bring electricity to landlocked areas, in collaboration with the government through a bidding program that it organizes”.

Energy is one of the issues that the Congolese government is keeping a close eye on these days.

Earlier this week, more technical discussions on the development of the Inga 3 project took place between the government and the World Bank’s representative in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Although the content of the discussions was not disclosed, several sources note that the discussions focused on the financing of the project, as well as on how to make it profitable.

With this commitment on the part of the International Finance Corporation, the Democratic Republic of Congo could well close the energy access gap for its population.

Over the period 2025-2028, the DRC government plans to invest a total of 521.8 billion Congolese francs ($182.3 million) directly in the construction of various power generation infrastructures, including photovoltaic (solar) power plants and hydroelectric dams.

Flory Musiswa

On Thursday September 25, 2024, Bruno Tshibangu Kabaji, Managing Director of the Agence Nationale pour la Promotion des Investissements (ANAPI), and Hesham El Mekwad, the Egyptian ambassador accredited to the Democratic Republic of Congo, exchanged views on investment and trade issues.

The Egyptian diplomat was accompanied by Adham Thabet, development cooperation advisor at the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Discussions between the two personalities focused in particular on the role of ANAPI as the body responsible for supporting investors in the DRC.

While stressing the need to increase economic and commercial cooperation between Egypt and the DRC, the two parties encouraged Egyptian investors to step up their presence in several fields in the DRC, notably energy, transport, infrastructure and agriculture, fisheries and livestock.

With this in mind, the Egyptian Ambassador expressed the wish to establish regular contacts with ANAPI to support this mutual ambition.

Nadine FULA