 World Bank Group Engagement in the Democratic Republic of

the Congo

The Bank re-engaged in the DRC in 2001 after nearly a decade of

suspension of its activities.

In recent years, the Bank's DRC portfolio has shifted from an

“emergency assistance” mode to a “sustainable development”
strategy. The portfolio currently comprises 24 projects (excluding
regional projects) and 57 trust funds. These commitments total $2.5
billion, of which 42% has already been disbursed. The portfolio is
distributed across the various sectors as follows: 63% for
infrastructure (transport, energy, urban development, and water),
16% for human development, 15% for development of the private
sector and agriculture, and 6% for governance and mining.

The Bank's current Country Assistance Strategy for the DRC, to be

completed in 2017, has been subject to review. The review
confirmed that the CAS objectives are still aligned with the DRC
development goals, and showed that 10 of the 14 expected
outcomes will likely be achieved. In November 2016, the Bank held
discussions with the various stakeholders with a view to conducting
a Systematic Country Diagnostic. The Bank is currently developing
a new Country Partnership Framework for 2018-2021.
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Last Updated: Dec 05, 2017

 Noteworthy changes in key areas are outlined below.

Health

As a result of extensive anti-poliomyelitis vaccination campaigns

and the provision of millions of dollars in essential medications,
the DRC has succeeded in eradicating poliomyelitis, improving
access to health care, and reducing maternal mortality. The World
Bank also financed the restoration of more than 500 central
dispensaries and hospitals in the provinces of Equateur, Katanga,
Maniema, and Bandundu and the distribution of almost 18 million
treated mosquito nets.

Education

The Support to Basic Education Program, funded by the Global

Partnership for Education (GPE) and supervised by the World
Bank Group, increased access and equity in primary education
and rehabilitated 728 classrooms. The program has also provided
$20 million to procure textbooks in French, mathematics, civic
education, and science as well as build 35 computer labs (or
resource centers) for distance and in-service training.

Infrastructure
 The reopening of 1,530 kilometers of national roads in Province
Orientale, South Kivu, and Katanga paved the way for economic
recovery. To date, 36.1% of the high-priority road network has
been found to be in good condition (against 13.8% in 2009).

Energy

To facilitate capacity building in the national electricity

company, Sociéténationale d’électricité (SNEL), the World Bank
Group supported the implementation of its performance contract
with the Government, the establishment of its new executive
board, the recruitment of technical experts, and the
implementation of a service contract, as well as the preparation of
a recovery plan. As a result, the company’s revenues have
increased 30% per kWh.

World Bank Group financing helped rehabilitate the first unit of the
Inga 1 Dam, which is currently functioning and provides 55 MW.
In addition to bringing four of the 114 turbines of Inga 1 and Inga 2
back into service, it also helped install a compensator at
Kimwenza (approximately 30 MW), rehabilitate the Inga-Kolwezi-
Kassumbalessa transmission line, and install a fiber optic
network.

Last Updated: Dec 05, 2017

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