United Kingdom and IFC Partner to Expand Agribusiness and Accelerate Job Creation in the DRC

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, April 16, 2026: The United Kingdom, through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), today signed an agreement to scale financing for agribusinesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo, supporting small and medium enterprises, expanding access to finance for thousands of farmers, and driving job creation across agricultural value chains.

The four‑year program will provide advisory services and upstream support to unlock private investment in agriculture, with an expected impact that includes support for more than 300 women‑owned SMEs, improved access to modern equipment and finance for at least 5,000 farmers and agribusinesses, and the potential to generate thousands of jobs across the sector. The initiative is supported by a £2.3 million contribution from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

“This partnership is about delivering real economic impact,” said Malick Fall, IFC Country Manager. “By mobilizing finance and supporting women‑led businesses, we are creating jobs, improving food security, and strengthening agricultural value chains across the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

Peter Fernandes Cardy, Development Director at the British Embassy Kinshasa, said, “The United Kingdom is proud to partner with IFC in DRC to promote climate-resilient agriculture and expand financial inclusion. By addressing barriers to investment and empowering Congolese entrepreneurs, this program will support economic resilience by stimulating sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.”

Agriculture contributes about 21% of the country’s gross domestic product and employs most of the population. Yet limited access to finance, modern equipment, and climate‑smart practices continue to constrain productivity and food security. By strengthening financial institutions, improving the regulatory environment, and building a pipeline of investment‑ready companies, the partnership aims to transform agriculture into a powerful engine of inclusive growth.

The program aligns with the World Bank Group’s AgriConnect initiative and will support climate-smart agricultural finance, tailored financial products for women entrepreneurs, innovative leasing solutions, and reforms to improve the investment climate, including in special economic zones. Through IFC’s Local Champions Initiative, it will also help prepare high-potential agribusiness firms for investment, strengthening the pipeline of bankable projects in the country.

The trust fund will run through December 2029 and is designed to catalyze private capital at scale, improve livelihoods, and reduce dependence on food imports.