• D.R. Congo
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  • Access to Finance
  • Access to Capital
  • Access to Capital

Access to financial services in the DRC

Most women who start their own businesses do so with less money than men, and rely more on personal savings or loans from friends or family .

Lack of access to finance is a crucial problem for women entrepreneurs wishing to develop their activities in the DRC.

Given that the financial intermediation rates in the DRC remain one of the lowest in the world, the conditions for granting loans by the banks are difficult and do not allow women to have easy access to them.

Intermediation is a process by which customer deposits are transformed into loans.

Industry Promotion Fund-FPI

After an observation that the Industrial Sector lacked the means to ensure its effective start-up and the insufficient self-financing of companies to cover their investment needs. The Congolese State has therefore created the Fund for the Promotion of Industry-FPI by Ordinance Law No. 89-171 of August 07, 1989, which is an appropriate framework for financing the industrial sector with longer terms and at low interest rates.

This public establishment is established in all the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo whose General Management is located in Kinshasa precisely in the commune of Gombe at No. 16 Avenue Lukusa opposite the Cercle Elaeis.

The FPI's main mission is to promote the development of Congolese industry by, among other things:

  • Support for existing industries;
  • The promotion of new industries;
  • The promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises;

In order to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the Congolese Minister of Industry has decided that financing from the Industry Promotion Fund-FPI intended for investment will now be granted at a rate of maximum interest of 6% for all businesses. Specifically the business projects of young and female entrepreneurs will be financed at 4%.

The costs of opening the file are equivalent in Congolese francs to two hundred and ninety US dollars (US$290) at the daily rate and payable to the FPI's accounts housed in commercial banks, while indicating the name of the Promoter Company and the nature of the payment ( Expenses for opening the file ).

Click here to download the funding application form

To contact the head office of the Fonds de Promotion de l'Industrie-FPI

Moreover, the only other possible source of financing for women are banks and local microfinance institutions.

A few establishments offer credit services to their clients with particular attention to women entrepreneurs. These are among others:

angle-left RawBank with its Ladies First program

RawBank with its Ladies First program

Lady's first is a program set up by RAWBANK to support and encourage women entrepreneurs working in the Democratic Republic of Congo and whose main characteristics aim to:

  • Improve women entrepreneurs' access to financial services,
  • Improve their managerial capacities through training and follow-up,
  • Facilitate their access to the market and to information.

This initiative is supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC – World Bank Group), in particular through its WIN program (Women in Business)

The first condition to benefit from this service is to have a registered savings account at Rawbank.

For more details

Address

66 Colonel Lukusa Avenue, C/Gombe
Tel: +243 996 016 300 or 4488 (Free calls for national networks)
Email: contact@rawbank.cd

https://www.rawbank.cd/commercial-banking/ladys-first/

Mutuelle Financière des Femmes Africains sponsored (MUFFA) by Afriland First Bank CD

MUFFA CD is an economic and social promotion body created and managed by women for women. MUFFA CD also encourages female entrepreneurship and helps Congolese women improve their living conditions in a sustainable way. MUFFA CD also promotes women to formal financial services, adapted to their needs.

To benefit from the advantages offered by MUFFA, you must join the mutual insurance company and open an account at Afriland First Bank CD

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Membership conditions

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Quality of members

Membership rights

Shares (1 share=20$)

Solidarity Fund

Opening an account

Total

Active Member (individual)

$5

Minimum 10 shares=200$

$80

$10

$295

Associate Member (individual)

$5

Minimum 1 portion=20$

$8

$10

$43

Active Member (legal person)

$50

Minimum 50 shares=1000$

$400

$10

$1550

  1. Active members take part in the decisions of the mutual but are not part of the administrators of the mutual.
  2. Associate members are subject to the decisions made by the founding members
  3. The membership of active members (legal person) has already been closed.

Member rights

Active members have access to all the advantages offered by MUFFA, including:

  • The right to invest their savings and other income
  • The right to obtain the credits necessary to meet their socio-economic needs in compliance with laws and regulations and within the limits of the means of the mutual;
  • The right to benefit from all other services;
  • The right to vote and eligibility;
  • The right of control;
  • The right to take part in the meetings of the General Assembly

Associate members are entitled to all rights except the right to vote and eligibility.

Obligations of all members

  • Participate in the constitution of the establishment fund or capital of MUFFA;
  • Funding your savings;
  • Actively participate in MUFFA activities
  • Reimburse loans contracted with MUFFA;
  • Make MUFFA aware of the problems of any member with questionable character;
  • Accept all legitimate sanctions taken against him

The credit limit depends on the volume of the credit applicant's activity

contacts:

767, Boulevard du 30 juin, Kinshasa-Gombe

+24382210174 - +24384462540 - +243854581084

Email: firstbankcd@afrilandfirstbankcd.com

Website: www.afrilandfistbankcd.com

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