The Democratic Republic of Congo's government has taken a significant step in its efforts to formalize the country's informal economy, with 25,373 entrepreneurs being formally recognized and receiving their activity certificates and cards. This move is part of a broader program aimed at bringing informal economic activities into the formal sector. The ceremony, held at the Kinshasa Financial Center, was attended by nearly 2,000 participants, including high-ranking government officials.
The formalization process is a key component of the government's strategy to accelerate economic growth and provide social benefits to entrepreneurs. The initiative is led by the Ministry of National Economy, under the patronage of the Prime Minister. The program's theme, "From Informal to Entrepreneur," reflects the government's goal of encouraging informal economic actors to formalize their activities. So far, over 200,000 economic actors have been identified nationwide.
Universal health coverage is being offered as a primary benefit to encourage entrepreneurs to formalize their activities. The government, through the National Council for Universal Health Coverage (CN-CSU), is providing access to health insurance, which will be managed by the Health Solidarity Fund (FSS) in collaboration with existing mutual insurance companies. This move aims to improve the living and working conditions of formalized entrepreneurs.
The government has announced a working capital fund to support the health care of formalized entrepreneurs, which will be managed by the FSS. This fund will serve as a financial guarantee, enabling the FSS to provide health care services to beneficiaries while a system for collecting contributions is being established. The program also plans to provide access to financial services, microcredit, and modern workspaces.
The formalization of entrepreneurs is part of a broader strategy to reform the informal economy in DR Congo. The program is based on three strategic instruments: the Diagnostic of the Informal Economy in DR Congo, the National Formalization Policy, and the National Formalization Strategy. The government aims to provide tangible results, including effective health protection, better access to financing, and sustainable support for economic activities.
The CN-CSU's coordinator, Dr. Mbongani Kabila Polydor, emphasized that formalization must be accompanied by incentives, with universal health coverage being the first identified by the government. He noted that the attestation of formalization is just the first step and that the government is committed to providing support to entrepreneurs. The program aims to give entrepreneurs the means to work, develop, and benefit from social protection.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the development of formalized entrepreneurs. With 25,373 entrepreneurs formalized and over 200,000 economic actors identified, the government is determined to make a significant impact on the country's economy. The challenge now is to translate the announced commitments into tangible results, including effective health protection, better access to financing, and sustainable support for economic activities.
Key points
- DR Congo's government formalizes 25,373 entrepreneurs, offering universal health coverage as a first benefit.
- The program aims to provide access to financial services, microcredit, and modern workspaces.
- Over 200,000 economic actors have been identified nationwide.
