In Focus: Some policies, schemes & grants for women entrepreneurs in Congo
#CongoWomenEntrepreneurs #BusinessSuccess #WomenInBusiness
“The Heart of Darkness” was the nickname for Congo that was coined by author Joseph Conrad, who explored the Congo River basin in the late 19th century, highlighting the region’s mysteries and complex history.
Today it is also known as “The Land of Mountains and Volcanoes”. Women entrepreneurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are playing a prominent role today, in shaping the nation’s economy. Despite facing challenges such as limited access to funding, market barriers & legal constraints, they continue to drive innovation and create sustainable businesses. Fortunately, several initiatives and resources are available both to support & empower them.
Empowering Women in Business: Essential Support for Entrepreneurs in the DRC
Organizations such as the Congo Women’s Fund provide grants and training, while the African Women’s Development Fund offers microfinance and business development services. Moreover, the World Bank’s Women Entrepreneurs Financing Fund helps women access much needed capital. The Congolese government has also stepped in by establishing the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises – which promotes entrepreneurship and provides essential support to small business owners.
Policy efforts like the Law on the Promotion of Women’s Economic Empowerment (2017) & the National Program for Women’s Entrepreneurship (2020) have further strengthened women’s access to financial resources, training & mentorship. These initiatives aim to break barriers, create new opportunities & also contribute to economic growth in the DRC.
Now, let us explore some top resources available for women entrepreneurs in Congo, highlighting key programs, policies & funding opportunities designed to tailor success
> Policies for women entrepreneurship in Congo
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, women entrepreneurship come across significant challenges – including lack of access to capital, limited infrastructure, and social and cultural barriers. To address these challenges, a number of policies have been implemented to support women’s entrepreneurship. These include:
– The 2015 Organic Law on Entrepreneurship, which recognizes women’s entrepreneurship as a driver of economic development.
– The Congolese government’s National Strategy for Women’s Empowerment (2013-2020), which aims to increase women’s participation in entrepreneurship and leadership.
– The Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Program (2017-2022), which provides training, mentorship & access to finance for women entrepreneurs. These policies aim to promote women’s entrepreneurship & create jobs.
> TELEMA – A socio-economic program for micro-entrepreneurs
The Congolese government has come up with solutions to help micro-entrepreneurs. Its project for socio-economic integration – “TELEMA” (“Stand Up” in Lingala; link in French) is part of the National Social Action Policy (PNAS) launched by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Solidarity and Humanitarian Action. This includes – a skills assessment, the preparation of a business plan, technical and financial assistance for the launch of their micro-projects & an 18-month mentorship.
National Institute of Social Work (INTS) – a scheme mainly managed by social workers
AFD has financed the construction and equipment of the National Institute of Social Work (INTS), whose activities include training social workers in how to set up and operate the TELEMA scheme. Their participation enables its widespread deployment in different districts and ensures the scheme is technically and financially sustainable.
700 micro-projects supported
Since November 2021, several micro-projects have been receiving support in informal
sectors, from agriculture and livestock farming, to apparel-hairdressing-cosmetics, IT,
car mechanics, and catering. During its pilot phase, which is receiving assistance from
AFD and Expertise France, TELEMA planned to support 900 micro-entrepreneurs (700
are already receiving support).
https://www.afd.fr/en/actualites/integrating-vulnerable-people-congo-society-
entrepreneurship
> Support Project for the Development of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (PADMPME)
UN Women, in collaboration with the Congolese women’s civil society organization CAFCO (Cadre Permanent de Concertation de la Femme Congolaise), has been helping women entrepreneurs navigate the process – to formalize their business through the “Support Project for the Development of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises” (PADMPME) of the Government of the DRC, financed by a loan from the World Bank’s International Development Association.
> Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (WE4A)
The “Women Entrepreneurship for Africa” (WE4A) programme is jointly supported by the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), and the German Development agency GIZ (E4D program).
It is focused on – empowering underserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa comprising of women, youth, and the informal sector. The Acceleration/Growth Programme will be implemented with support of SAFEEM (Swiss Association for Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets).
https://www.tonyelumelufoundation.org/women-entrepreneurship-for-africa
> The National Commission of Women Entrepreneurs of the Federation of Entrepreneurs of Congo (CNFE / FEC)
The National Commission of Women Entrepreneurs of the Federation of Entrepreneurs of Congo (CNFE / FEC) is a network of more than 300 women entrepreneurs carrying out various economic activities across the country.
https://www.comfwb.org/member/drc
> The COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB)
The COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) was established in July 1993 in Zimbabwe.
COMFWB rests on a solid foundation of legal and institutional legitimacy with its mandate embedded in the Treaty; establishing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, COMESA, under Article 155 – Women in Business and Article 154-Women in Development.
COMFWB Objectives
The institution’s objectives set out are:
To promote programmes that integrate women into trade and development activities in Eastern and Southern Africa: in particular, in the fields of industry, trade and services, agriculture, fishing, energy, transport and communications, natural resources and mining. The main objective here is to improve the economic conditions of women in the sub-region as well as to increase the awareness of women in development and business issues at the policy level.
Their priorities can be understood against this background. COMFWB draws its mandate from (i) the Treaty establishing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, COMESA, under Article 155 – Role of Women in Business; (ii) Article 154- Role of Women in Development (iii) COMFWB Charter, which mandates COMFWB to “act as a forum for the exchange of ideas and experience among women entrepreneurs; an instrument through which the appropriate portion of COMESA Women in Development Programmes shall be implemented; a forum for network among women entrepreneurs and an instrument for encouraging women to set up or expand existing enterprises.”
https://www.comfwb.org/about/who-are-we
> Democratic Republic of Congo policies
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, policies aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs – include initiatives to increase financial inclusion, like enabling women to open bank accounts independently, promoting access to credit through dedicated SME programs, and establishing a National Commission for Women Entrepreneurs which provides business management training. Plus, there’s a growing focus on collecting sex- disaggregated data to better understand women’s economic participation and challenges within the business sector.
Key aspects of these policies include:
Financial Access: Laws allowing women to open bank accounts without a male guarantor, facilitating access to microfinance and loans specifically designed for women entrepreneurs.
Capacity Building: Programs by the National Commission for Women Entrepreneurs offering business management training to empower women in the business world.
Data Collection: Requirement for regulated institutions to collect and report sex- disaggregated data to identify gender disparities in business participation.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between government agencies, private sector banks, and women’s organizations to develop tailored financial products and services for women entrepreneurs.
> The AWE programme
U.S. Embassy in the. Democratic Republic of the Congo carried out the AWE programme was the first of its kind to take place in the DRC. It provided guided training, mentorship & business linkages to 100 women entrepreneurs in five cities across the country. It was the first of its kind to take place in the DRC.
Selected participants increased their knowledge and understanding of business, marketing, finance, and operations, and had opportunities to meet and network with like-minded women to share best practices.
https://cd.usembassy.gov/inaugural-u-s-embassy-program-boosts-women-
entrepreneurs/#:~:text=the%20.gov%20website.-
,U.S.%20Embassy,Democratic%20Republic%20of%20the%20Congo&text=Carried%20
out%20over%20seven%20months,five%20cities%20across%20the%20country.
> Planning of DRC Government
Gender responsive planning and budgeting
In partnership with UNDP, the capacity of the DRC government was enhanced to undertake gender-responsive planning and budgeting. They provide technical support to the government on gender mainstreaming in budget development processes; it strengthens the capacity of various government departments on gender responsive budgeting, support national and provincial women’s organizations to monitor gender-related and women empowerment commitments and action research on gender responsive budgeting.
Ending violence against women and girls
They provide technical support to the Ministry of Gender for effective coordination and
implementation of the national strategy on Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV), especially in the areas of communications and monitoring and evaluation. Our programme supports the review process of the family law to ensure alignment with international and regional conventions especially on the age of marriage as early marriage is widespread in the DRC.
Women, peace and security
They support the Ministry of Gender to implement the government’s Resolution 1325 National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. This includes – supporting the establishment of the multi-donor trust fund; supporting conflict resolution action plans; supporting gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping operations and security sector reforms; supporting capacity for female leaders/gender advocates to participate in formal peace processes and conflict resolution processes, and supporting women’s participation in post-conflict humanitarian processes.
Women’s political leadership and participation
They support implementing affirmative action favoring women’s access to decision- making positions through parity bills or special measures and encourage parliaments and political parties – to understand the importance of female leadership and political participation. They strengthen the leadership skills of female parliamentarians, female academics & young women leaders. They provide civic and voter education; and favour recruitment of women for high placement on political party lists; monitor the minimum quota of 30% in the Electoral Administration and provide gender mainstreaming support of the electoral commission.
Women’s economic empowerment and female entrepreneurship
Reducing the economic vulnerability of women can contribute to the prevention of violence against women & girls. They provide technical assistance to government ministries – to implement gender action plans; advocate for female entrepreneurs and farmers to access production and market and information and services and conduct small demonstration projects in eastern DRC. They also work with ministries – to promote access to gender-sensitive infrastructure and services and support rural women, informal traders and women entrepreneurs’ access training and professional services.
https://africa.unwomen.org/en/where-we-are/west-and-central-africa/democratic-republic-of-congo
> NOFO: Academy for Women Entrepreneurs 2025 (DRC)
The US Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) of the US Department of State has announced an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out an Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme to train and enhance the capacity of 100 women entrepreneurs across the DRC, targeting women in five designated regions. Deadline was – Feb 17, 2025.
In its third iteration in the DRC, AWE promotes women’s economic opportunities and ensures that women have the capabilities and resources needed to participate in the economy. The programme harnesses the power of public-private sponsors, local partnerships, and U.S. exchange alumni networks to help women and their business grow, driving localized prosperity.
What are the funds available?
– Total available funding $35,000
– Award amounts Up to $35,000
– Number of awards anticipated: One
– Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 9 months or less.
Expected Outcomes:
– Equip participants with knowledge and skills from both U.S. and Congolese training materials to build and scale up sustainable businesses.
– Expand participants’ understanding of social enterprise models.
– Foster participants’ ability to promote economic opportunities for women and increase the number of women-led businesses.
– Facilitate the development of a network of female entrepreneurs and investors to grow women businesses and drive local and international partnerships.
https://www2.fundsforngos.org/latest-funds-for-ngos/nofo-academy-for-women-
entrepreneurs-2025-drc/
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
