The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is planning to launch a project to identify and valorize the skills and resources held by Congolese people living abroad. The project was announced by Crispin Mbadu, Minister Delegate to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, in charge of Francophonie and Congolese abroad, on September 29, 2026, in Brussels. The initiative aims to create a database that will serve as a decision-making tool.
According to Minister Mbadu, the project will involve identifying the capacities of Congolese nationals around the world, their studies, and domains of specialization, as well as the forms of contribution they can make. The minister made the announcement during a meeting with members of the Congolese community at the Democratic Republic of Congo's embassy in the Benelux region. The meeting was attended by Christian Ndongala, head of the diplomatic representation.
The Congolese diaspora community is considered an indispensable economic force, with data from the World Bank indicating that they transfer between $4 billion and $5 billion to the country each year, not counting informal transfers made by families. Minister Mbadu acknowledged the significance of this community and emphasized the government's desire to draw inspiration from the experiences of other countries, such as Ethiopia and Morocco.
Ethiopia, which has the largest African diaspora, and Morocco, whose diaspora is the second-largest source of foreign currency, are examples of countries that have successfully leveraged their diaspora communities. The Democratic Republic of Congo aims to establish a similar program to create a new relationship between the country and its diaspora. As part of this initiative, a "Carte Okapi" will be issued to members of the diaspora in collaboration with Equity Bank.
The "Carte Okapi" will serve as both a means of payment and a facility for accessing credit, aiming to improve connections with the country. Minister Mbadu also announced the establishment of a High Council for the diaspora, which will serve as a consultative framework for Congolese people living abroad. This council will provide recommendations to the government.
The Congolese diaspora comprises individuals who retain their original nationality, those who have acquired another nationality, and children born abroad to parents of Congolese origin. The government's initiative aims to engage with all members of the diaspora community. By creating a database and issuing the "Carte Okapi," the government hopes to strengthen ties with its diaspora and tap into their skills and resources.
The launch of this project marks a significant step towards recognizing the importance of the Congolese diaspora and harnessing their potential for the country's development. The government's efforts to improve connections with its diaspora community are expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy and development.
Key points
- The Democratic Republic of Congo is launching a project to identify and utilize the skills of its diaspora community.
- The project aims to create a database to facilitate decision-making and improve connections with the country.
- A "Carte Okapi" will be issued to members of the diaspora, serving as a means of payment and a facility for accessing credit.
