European Union expands commitment to speeding up digital transformation in Republic of the Congo for an inclusive digital future serving governance, the economy and young people

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank.

• The Prime Minister has launched the EU part of the project to accelerate the digital transformation in the Republic of the Congo, with XAF 27 billion in EU and EIB financing.
• This is a strategic investment in the development of the digital economy through the Congo Digital 2030 plan, focusing on e-citizen engagement, e-government and e-commerce.
• A key element of the national development plan 2022-2026 with major social and economic impact is the development of digital skills, job creation and economic diversification.
• The project has a particular focus on young people and gender equality, emphasising the role of women in the digital transformation.
• Three development partners are joining forces to back this flagship €136.5 million (XAF 89.4 billion) project combining an EU grant, an EIB loan and World Bank financing.

On 17 June 2025, Minister of Post, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy of the Republic of the Congo Léon Juste Ibombo, acting on behalf of Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso, officially launched the EU part of the project to accelerate the digital transformation in the country. The event was also attended by EU Ambassador Anne Marchal and Head of West and Central Africa Public Sector Financing in the EIB’s International Partners Department Svetla Stoeva.

The overarching goal of the project is to speed up digital transformation in the Republic of the Congo as both a source of jobs and a catalyst for better governance, in particular by supporting the modernisation of public administration information systems and the development of the digital economy in the country.

Three development partners are backing this flagship XAF 89.4 billion project, bringing together a XAF 10 billion EU grant, a XAF 17 billion European Investment Bank (EIB) loan and World Bank financing of around XAF 61.4 billion. It is fully in line with the national development plan 2022-2026 and the new Congo Digital 2030 strategy, and will be implemented by a project coordination unit under the supervision of the Ministry of Post, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy.

The EU part of this flagship project focuses on strengthening governance through digitalisation, improving employability by developing the digital skills of the Congolese population, protecting personal data, and cybersecurity. The project will also put in place high-priority sector-based IT systems, for example in the higher education and healthcare sectors.

This event follows the signature of agreements related to this project (30 December 2022 for the EIB and 30 December 2023 for the European Union) and a launch ceremony for the World Bank components of the project held on 8 June 2023 and attended by the prime minister.

The five-year EU part of the project to accelerate the digital transformation began in November 2024.

A project with major economic impact

One of the project’s aims is to help diversify the Republic of the Congo’s economy. It has two main strands. First, to promote the creation of a skilled workforce able to thrive in a more digitalised economy by building digital skills in line with private sector needs. Second, to use digitalisation to strengthen governance, helping to improve public services for people and companies, and to make public administration more efficient, helping to improve the business and investment climate.

A project promoting the social inclusion of young people and female empowerment

Another of the project’s priorities is to reduce inequality and improve social inclusion via digitalisation, with a focus on women and young people. It will do this by building the digital skills of young people and nurturing a pro-innovation and entrepreneurship environment on the one hand, and by using specific campaigns to encourage strong participation of women and girls on the other. This approach will mean that women and girls will have more equal access to digital skills training, improving labour market access and, above all, contributing to female economic empowerment.

Quotes

“It can’t be said enough these days that digital technology is key to growth, transparency, government modernisation and job creation. We must create the optimal conditions for a more dynamic, resilient and sovereign digital ecosystem. We must work together to build a digital Congo that is more open to the world and is better able to serve its people and its future generations.”

Minister of Post, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy of the Republic of the Congo Léon Juste Ibombo

“The project we are launching today is not just a technology project, but is rather also a social project and a genuine way to transform governance, jobs and inclusion, providing young people and women with new opportunities in an increasingly digital world. We are proud to support this structural project with the European Union as part of the Global Gateway initiative. Our shared goal is clear: making the Republic of the Congo a strong and sovereign player in the digital sector.”

EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros

“The launch of the EU part of the project to accelerate the digital transformation shows the commitment of the European Union to applying an inclusive and sustainable approach to supporting the Republic of the Congo in its digital transformation. This project is part of the Global Gateway initiative, which aims to promote quality infrastructure for human and economic development. It reflects a shared desire to strengthen governance, digital skills and the empowerment of young people and women, in line with national priorities.”

EU Ambassador to the Republic of the Congo Anne Marchal