DRC launches a joint project to strengthen social protection and promote access to decent work

Press release

DRC launches a joint project to strengthen social protection and promote access to decent work

A new joint project by the United Nations and the World Bank, launched in Kinshasa, aims to strengthen social protection and promote access to decent work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a particular focus on young people, women and those in vulnerable situations.

18 March 2026

Representatives from the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations and the World Bank at the launch of the joint project aimed at strengthening social protection and promoting decent work, in Kinshasa. © OIT

Content also available in: français

KINSHASA (ILO News) - On Monday 16 March in Kinshasa, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in partnership with the United Nations and the World Bank, launched a joint project aimed at strengthening social protection systems and promoting access to decent work.

Funded by the Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund (Joint SDG Fund), this new programme aims to build strong bridges between non-contributory and contributory social protection, expand the coverage of these schemes, and improve skills development and employment policies.

The initiative also aims to support people at risk of precariousness in accessing more stable, productive and sustainable economic opportunities.
This project supports the Government's priorities regarding job creation, human capital development and poverty reduction, in line with the National Strategic Development Plan (PNSD 2024-2028).

"In this regard, the initiative we are launching today represents an important step. It reinforces the Government's efforts to promote inclusive growth, support the necessary economic transitions and create more opportunities for our young people," said His Excellency Mr Guylain Nyembo Mbwizya, Minister of State, Minister of Planning and Coordination for Development.

Representatives from the government, the United Nations and partner organisations are attending the launch of the joint project aimed at strengthening social protection and promoting decent work in Kinshasa.

Today in the DRC, nearly 86% of jobs are in the informal economy, whilst only 5% of the population benefits from a social protection scheme, mainly workers in the formal sector. Against this backdrop, young people, women and vulnerable groups still face significant barriers to accessing relevant skills, adequate protection mechanisms and sustainable economic opportunities.

Led by the Ministry of Planning and Coordination of Development Aid, under the coordination of the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the project receives technical support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank. Through complementary actions, the partners will support the enhancement of employability, access to economic opportunities and the extension of social protection.

By placing the population at the heart of the initiative, the project will directly benefit 1,500 young people, at least 40% of whom are women, through a pilot programme combining training, entrepreneurship and access to social security. At the same time, the project will contribute to strengthening the capacity of national institutions and improving coordination between social protection, skills development and employment systems, in order to achieve a sustainable, large-scale impact.

Through this initiative, the Government reaffirms its commitment to working in concert with national partners to support the coordinated implementation of the programme and accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the DRC, Ms Nteba Soumano, Director of the International Labour Office in the DRC, reaffirmed the United Nations System's commitment to supporting the coordinated implementation of the project: "I hereby reaffirm the United Nations System's commitment to supporting the Government (…) in order to ensure better coordination of partners' interventions and to reduce fragmentation in the employment and social protection sub-sectors."

RTNC News: The story begins at 15:57

About the Joint SDG Fund

This joint programme is supported by the Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund (Joint SDG Fund). We express our sincere gratitude to the European Union and to the governments of Germany, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Sweden and Switzerland for their commitment and contributions, which are helping to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information

• Jean Lambert Mandjo , National Project Coordinator: [email protected]