Description

The project supporting the development of the National SME and Crafts Policy in the Republic of the Congo, implemented with support from the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, is a key component of the country’s national strategy for economic diversification and financial inclusion.

Its objective is to provide the country with a coherent framework aligned with the 2022–2026 National Development Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, and the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA. The policy will define a clear vision, strategic priorities and operational programmes to strengthen competitiveness, access to finance, formalisation and SME governance.

The work carried out by Belgian Bankers Academy, BBA, covers the institutional, economic and regulatory analysis of the sector, national stakeholder consultation, and the drafting of the policy and its implementing instruments. The process brings together the Ministry responsible for SMEs and Crafts, UNDP and key stakeholders from the Congolese entrepreneurial ecosystem.

BBA’s Role

BBA’s main responsibilities include:

• Providing methodological leadership for the development of the national policy.

• Conducting an institutional, economic and regulatory assessment of the SME and crafts sector.

• Facilitating stakeholder consultation workshops and regional benchmarking.

• Drafting the policy and its implementing instruments.

• Supporting the technical committee in validating and disseminating the final document.

BBA leads the technical assistance assignment and is responsible for methodological quality, institutional compliance and adherence to UNDP standards.