On July 26 and 28, 2025, attention was focused on Kinshasa (Lutendele and Maluku), where the AVENIR project marked a decisive step in promoting rural entrepreneurship among youth and women. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the National Project Coordinator visited two incubation centers supported by the project: Groupe d'appui aux Projets (GAP) and AGRO MA DOUCE FERMIÈRE (AGROMAF).

🌱 Incubation spaces at the heart of rural innovation

These innovation spaces welcome young entrepreneurial initiatives, offering them strategic guidance to transform their ideas into solid, viable, and sustainable projects. Through practical training, inspiring discussions, tailored support in developing bankable business plans, guidance and support for beneficiaries in accessing financial institutions to raise the necessary financing to implement their project, and advisory support in implementing their entrepreneurial project, incubators play a key role in the emergence of a new local entrepreneurial network.

👩🏾‍🌾 Committed youth driving change

For this pilot phase, the AVENIR project is supporting 331 young people,including 215 women,determined to build the future of Congolese agriculture and rural development. Their energy, creativity, and commitment demonstrate a true revival, driven by local and inclusive solutions.

The project has already sent 66 young people to partner incubation centers for the Kikwit and Mbanza Ngungu provincial branches. Soon, 47 young peopleincluding 24 women, will join another center to benefit from the support they need to mature their projects. 

This first phase paves the way for a crucial step: support for accessing financing to bring the incubated entrepreneurial projects to fruition.

🏛️ An infrastructure serving transformation

At the end of the visit, the National Coordinator expressed his satisfaction:

" "I am very satisfied because, initially, we envisioned a simple theoretical training center with technical modules. However, what we are discovering today far exceeds our expectations: the center includes not only classrooms, but also dormitories, a dining hall, and several areas dedicated to livestock farming and practical learning for the young incubatees. It is a complete infrastructure, designed to concretely transform training into an opportunity." »

🤝 Towards concrete partnerships

To enrich the discussions, a young entrepreneur involved in agri-food processing took part in the visit. His presence created a direct bridge between the young incubatees and the prospects for real opportunities, reassuring the project leaders about local opportunities for development and sustainable income..

🌍 An initiative supported by strategic partners

This initiative is part of a strategic partnership between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Through the AVENIR project, these partners share a shared vision: empowering young people and women by placing them at the heart of rural development through promising and sustainable economic projects.

💡 A collective dynamic for the future

These visits illustrate the strength of a program that values the boldness, resilience, and potential of Congolese rural communities. They mark the beginning of a transformative journey, where each young person incubated becomes an agent of change.

Hyperbole Mwanandeke

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