Kinshasa, November 18th, 2025 (CPA). The participants at the Round Table on Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been invited by the Head of State to propose a unified, realistic national strategic framework with priorities for two sectors at the opening of the proceedings on Tuesday in Kinshasa.
‘I hope that the works of this round table will lead to tangible results. A unified national strategic framework that specifies the priorities for small and medium-sized enterprises run by young people,’ has insisted Felix Tshisekedi. He has, In his guidelines for the proceedings, which are scheduled to take place from November 18th to 20th, listed a number of important provisions to be included in the development of the framework, including the principles of access to employmn to current socio-professional realities in DRC, and improvement of the business climate. ‘Youth employment and entrepreneurship must be inclusive, including young women, youngent and inclusive entrepreneurship, including all socio-professional categories, adaptatio people living in rural areas, displaced young people, young people with disabilities, and young people leaving armed groups or situations of great vulnerability.
No young person should be left at the wayside,’ has emphasised the Congolese President. ‘Improving the business climate should not only benefit large companies.
It should also simplify the lives of small businesses created by young people, whether in Kinshasa, Goma, Mbuji-Mayi, Kisangani, Matadi or in the smallest of our territories,’ has added the Head of State. According to him, the creation of businesses must be simple, quick and affordable, and the promotion of youth employment and entrepreneurship must take place throughout the country, especially for professions that are in demand worldwide. « We must ensure that youth employment policies take into account local and rural realities and reduce territorial divides. We must place young people at the centre of the digital and ecological transition, » has maintained Felix Tshisekedi.
A major player in green value chains
‘Our country is destined to be a major player in green value chains and the digital economy. We must place young people at the centre of the digital transition and the digital economy,’ President Tshisekedi has continued. In addition, the Congolese Head of State has recommended the establishment of a transparent monitoring and evaluation system to regularly report on progress made to Congolese youth. ‘This process could be realised at the end of your work with the conclusion of a national justice and security pact,’ he has hoped. Aware of the doubts, frustrations and even anger that affecting the youth of his country due to unemployment, the Head of State has reassured them that the Government is already rolling out various programmes aimed at improving their socio-economic lives, the implementation of which will be reinforced in line with the recommendations of this meeting.
Need to improve the Congolese entrepreneurial ecosystem
Earlier, the Governor of Kinshasa, the capital of DRC, Daniel Bumba, has welcomed the organisation of the national round table on youth employment and entrepreneurship, which provides an opportunity to rethink approaches to combating youth unemployment. ‘This is why this national round table is of strategic importance. It provides us with a framework for exchange, consultation and collective commitment to define concrete, innovative solutions adapted to the realities of our young people,’ has explained Daniel Bumba. ‘It also invites us to rethink our approaches and strengthen collaboration between the state, the private sector, financial institutions, technical partners and youth organisations, in line with the momentum created by the President of the Republic,’ he has said.