The National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo passed four bills on Monday, 19 October, in Kinshasa, relating to 625 million dollars in financing agreed with the International Development Association (IDA), part of the World Bank Group. The texts concern enterprises, education, nutrition and emergency preparedness.
They must still go before a joint committee, as the Assembly and the Senate voted them in different terms. This harmonisation is necessary before final adoption. The MPs' vote is a legislative step on agreements already signed, not the announcement of a new disbursement.
Two additional financings of 200 million dollars each are earmarked for the TRANSFORME and PERSE projects. The first targets micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those owned by women. The second is intended to support access to primary school and reduce school fees paid by households in the targeted provinces.
An additional financing of 75 million dollars concerns nutrition and health, with interventions for children under two and pregnant or breastfeeding women. The remaining 150 million dollars fall under the regional REPAIR project, devoted to emergency preparedness and an inclusive recovery.
The Senate had voted on the texts on 16 October. Three concern the ratification of ordinances-laws of 21 August relating to the additional financings. The fourth concerns the REPAIR financing agreement signed on 13 July.