DRC Launches Jobs Program for 1,500 Youth in Informal Economy

The Democratic Republic of Congo just took a major step toward fixing a problem that affects millions: a job market where almost nobody has security or benefits.

On March 16, the DRC government partnered with the United Nations and World Bank to launch a new program connecting young people in informal work to skills training, stable employment, and social protections. The initiative targets 1,500 youth, with at least 40% reserved for women.

The numbers tell a sobering story. Right now, 86% of jobs in the DRC exist in the informal economy, meaning no contracts, no benefits, and no safety net. Only 5% of the population receives any social protection at all. For millions of young people and women, this means daily uncertainty about income, healthcare, and their future.

The new program takes a different approach by connecting systems that have never worked together before. Participants will receive skills training and entrepreneurship support while simultaneously gaining access to social security mechanisms. Instead of choosing between learning a trade or getting protection, they get both.

Minister of State Guylain Nyembo Mbwizya called it "an important step in promoting inclusive growth and creating more opportunities for our young people." The program aligns with the country's National Strategic Development Plan, which runs through 2028 and prioritizes job creation and poverty reduction.

What makes this initiative special is its coordination. The Ministry of Planning leads the effort, with the UN Resident Coordinator's Office managing partnerships between the International Labour Organization, UNICEF, and the World Bank. This unified approach aims to end the fragmentation that has weakened previous efforts.

Beyond helping 1,500 individuals, the program is building institutional capacity so these changes last. Government agencies are learning to work together more effectively, creating pathways that future participants can follow.

The Ripple Effect

This pilot program could reshape how countries tackle informal economies. If successful, it offers a blueprint for nations facing similar challenges: high informality, low social coverage, and millions of people locked out of stable work. The model shows that social protection and employment don't have to be separate problems requiring separate solutions.

Nteba Soumano, Director of the ILO Office in the DRC, emphasized the collaborative spirit: "The United Nations system remains committed to supporting the Government to ensure better coordination of partner interventions."

The initiative directly supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on poverty reduction, decent work, and social inclusion. By proving that coordinated, multi-partner approaches can transform labor markets, the DRC may be lighting a path for others to follow.

For 1,500 young people about to gain new skills and security, the future just got brighter.