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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Culture & Society

DRC youth embrace entrepreneurship to build future in Kananga

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Over 400 young people in Kananga, Democratic Republic of Congo, participated in an entrepreneurship training program.
  • The initiative, organized by the Kasaï-Central Provincial Youth Council, aimed to foster autonomy and professional integration through business creation.
  • Participants cited challenges like lack of funding and administrative hurdles despite gaining new skills.

In Kananga, Democratic Republic of Congo, entrepreneurship is emerging as a vital path for young people seeking autonomy amid high unemployment. Over 400 youths recently completed an entrepreneurship training program organized by the Kasaï-Central Provincial Youth Council. This initiative, designed to prepare participants for the presidential program "Debout Jeunes Congolais," focused on enhancing skills in business creation and management.

the training allowed us to better understand the different stages of entrepreneurship and correct certain practices we were carrying out empirically.

— Pierre Excellent LutumbaA participant in the entrepreneurship training, commenting on the knowledge gained.

Participants reported gaining valuable knowledge on identifying business opportunities and developing viable projects, often by addressing community problems. Pierre Excellent Lutumba, involved in livestock farming, noted improved understanding of entrepreneurial stages, while Carine Kapinga highlighted learning to better market products and adapt to market demand. These skills are crucial for income-generating activities.

Despite the enthusiasm and acquired knowledge, young entrepreneurs face significant obstacles. Lack of financing, limited access to credit, administrative complexities, and insufficient support systems were frequently cited as major hindrances to their development. Emmanuel Kabangu, president of the Provincial Youth Council, confirmed that local consultations revealed a strong demand for such training and information on available opportunities.

we learned to better value our products, adapt our production to market demand, and integrate more strategic thinking into our income-generating activities.

— Carine KapingaA participant in the entrepreneurship training, highlighting the practical skills acquired.

The program's success, attracting 470 participants against an initial target of 100, underscores the growing interest in entrepreneurship among Congolese youth. As job scarcity persists, these training initiatives are increasingly viewed as essential for building self-reliance and navigating economic uncertainties.

the consultations conducted by our organization revealed a lack of information on available opportunities as well as a significant need for capacity building.

— Emmanuel KabanguPresident of the Kasaï-Central Provincial Youth Council, explaining the rationale behind the training.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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