Three priority sectors

Because of efficiency concerns, Belgian cooperation concentrates its activities in three priority sectors:

• Agriculture
• Roads and ferries
• Education

By intervening in the agricultural sector, Belgian cooperation supports the policy of the Congolese government, which aims at achieving acceptable food security for the whole of the population. The cooperation activities will aim at three results: Increase the productivity of farms, improve the processing and commercialisation of family farm products, and improve governance in this sector.

The roads and ferries sector is related to the agricultural sector. Indeed, the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure (access roads, rural roads…) will open up the production areas. That way, agricultural products will be shipped to the large urban markets more easily and at a lower cost.

Belgian cooperation supports technical education and professional training, so qualified workers and technicians become available on the job market, which is a necessary condition to ensure reconstruction and economic stimulus of the country.

Finally, Belgian-Congolese cooperation will progressively withdraw from the health sector. However, targeted actions will be taken in this ICP, in order to perpetuate the achievements obtained.

Delegated cooperation

A new tool appears in this programme: Delegated cooperation. Delegated funds will be used to finance activities in sectors that are not priority sectors for Belgian-Congolese cooperation anymore. They will also support the activities of donors who have more expertise than Belgium in certain fields and whose activities fit well with the priorities of Belgian cooperation.

• DR Congo