In the first half of 2024, CEMEACO organized three rounds of intensive agribusiness training in Kinshasa. A look back at an initiative that is restoring Congolese youth’s confidence in the potential of entrepreneurial agriculture.
In response to urban unemployment in Kinshasa and the need to diversify the national economy, CEMEACO launched its agribusiness training program for young people in February 2024. The goal: to challenge the outdated image of agriculture and present it as a profitable and well-structured business.
Three training sessions were organized (February, April, and June 2024), each welcoming 30 participants selected based on their motivation and desire to start a business in the agricultural sector. Gender balance was a priority in the selection of applicants.
The methodology adopted was “learning by doing”: sessions alternated between classroom-based theoretical lectures and technical demonstrations at pilot sites. Participants were provided with simplified training manuals and digital tools for financial management simulations.
RESULTS AND LESSONS LEARNED
- Growing interest: Young people in Kinshasa are showing strong interest in the agricultural sector, provided they receive quality training
- Need for support: Technical training alone is not enough—access to startup capital is a critical factor
- Next steps: Incorporating a module on access to land and strengthening partnerships with microcredit institutions