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Matchmaking Businesses and Investors in DRC.

Economic Growth and Trade | Business Enabling Environment | Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development
Africa

USAID's Invest Activity

Project Dates: March 2021 - February 2026
Driving inclusive growth in eastern DRC will require private investment in the region’s promising businesses.

Factors like poor governance, low institutional capacity, a variety of languages, and corruption present a challenging environment for businesses in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Yet, in frontier and conflict markets like eastern DRC, finding promising businesses and helping them grow is an effective way to create jobs and drive inclusive growth. With its natural endowments and strategic location, the region is primed to expand its profitable agriculture, energy, and mining sectors.

USAID’s Invest Activity in the DRC operates as an investment facilitation platform, providing support to businesses and investors. The activity educates businesses about the investment process and supports their investment readiness by assisting with document preparation and ensuring satisfaction of investor conditions. The activity also helps investors assess and mitigate transaction costs and risks through market research and due diligence. As a neutral advisor throughout the matchmaking process, Invest provides support until financial close.

By cultivating a pipeline of high-potential agriculture, energy, and mining businesses poised for growth, USAID’s Invest Activity aims to mobilize $100 million in private capital in eastern DRC.

Project Goals

  • Apply innovative blended-finance mechanisms to overcome barriers to developmentally meaningful investment transactions
  • Increase capacity of local transaction advisory service providers
  • Enhance enabling environment for future financial transactions
  • Improve livelihoods and stability in eastern DRC

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