Where We Work The DR Congo

The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have suffered greatly over the past 40 years. Ethnic conflict and a civil war between government troops and rebel groups in Eastern Congo have contributed to high levels of poverty. Only 1 percent of the DRC’s citizens have access to basic financial services. Fortunately, recent economic liberalisation has opened up opportunities that will allow sustainable economic growth to gain a foothold.

Operations: We playe a critical role in this growth process by providing access to financial services such as loans, savings and training to hardworking entrepreneurs and their families. Opportunity International started working in DRC in 2011 through local partners, giving many microentrepreneurs in the Masina market of Kinshasa their first access to small business capital. We are also the first microfinance programme in the Congo to use biometric fingerprint recognition for clients to access their accounts.

Holistic Training and Transformation: Personal growth clients is emphasised. The transformation programme comprises five modules, covering topics such as family health, nutrition, and disease prevention and control. The training is in Lingala, the local language, and pertinent to life in Kinshasa. Lessons on nutrition, for example, use local food rather than the generic food pyramid.

In this country, roughly the geographical size of Europe and plagued by war, economic instability and corruption, access to financial services, through our programmes, can help make the difference between families being able to afford only three meals per week to families being able to afford three meals per day.