The Democratic Republic of the Congo is turning its employment and social protection priorities into a coordinated plan for investment and reform. Formally endorsed by the Government in Kinshasa on 1 July 2026, the national roadmap establishes a shared direction for creating decent jobs, extending social protection and supporting a more inclusive and sustainable economic transition.
The roadmap was developed through a Joint SDG Fund programme jointly implemented with the World Bank as part of the Multistakeholder Engagement to Implement the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions and the World Bank Social Protection and Jobs Compass (M-GA).
Investing in sectors with potential
The roadmap identifies sectors with strong potential to create decent employment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These include renewable energy, the care economy, digital technology, agribusiness, handicrafts, environmental protection, waste management, sustainable infrastructure and transport. It also emphasises the investment needed to move towards universal social protection through stronger and more resilient systems that respond to people’s needs throughout their lives.
The roadmap seeks to strengthen the design, financing and implementation of public investments that develop value chains, create formal employment and support the transition from the informal to the formal economy. Its six strategic areas cover decent job creation, social protection, economic formalisation, digital transformation, climate adaptation and stronger governance of reforms. Together, they support national priorities including youth employment, vocational training, gender equality and the green transition.
National leadership at the centre
The roadmap was developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Planning and Development Aid Coordination, with technical support from the International Labour Organization. Public institutions, workers’ and employers’ organisations, United Nations entities, technical and financial partners and other stakeholders contributed through an extensive consultation process.
The work included establishing a national steering committee, collecting sectoral data, analysing existing reforms and investments, conducting sectoral consultations and holding a technical drafting workshop.
“The validation of this roadmap marks an important milestone for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It reflects a shared vision of national priorities and provides a framework for action to accelerate the creation of decent jobs, extend social protection and support just transitions for everyone,” said Nteba Soumano, Director of the ILO Office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Daniel Epembe, Secretary-General for Planning and Development Aid Coordination, said the approach would improve the coherence of public policies and strengthen coordination among partners working on employment and social protection.
Moving from priorities to implementation
The roadmap provides the Government and its partners with a common framework for directing reforms, public investment and international support towards shared national priorities. Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Soumano reaffirmed the UN system’s commitment to supporting its implementation and strengthening coordination among partners.
Through the roadmap, the Government has renewed its commitment to working with national and international partners to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and advance economic growth that creates decent employment and strengthens social justice.
Originally published by ILO.
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the Arab Gulf Programme for Development for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
