The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing renewed questions over the implementation of a major youth agribusiness programme designed to help young people launch businesses and create jobs in agriculture.

During a National Assembly hearing on October 21, Agriculture Minister Muhindo Nzangi addressed concerns surrounding the Youth Entrepreneurship in Agriculture and Agribusiness Project (PEJAB), supported by funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB). The programme has a reported funding envelope of $57 million.

According to the minister’s account reported by Congolese media, 3,174 young people have received training and 1,107 have benefited from financing. He also said that $8 million remained at the Central Bank of Congo awaiting transfer to microfinance institutions.

However, lawmakers have questioned the programme’s implementation, the use of funds already disbursed and the number of sustainable businesses created. The project’s original closing date was December 2025, adding urgency to calls for clearer reporting on its results.

The outcome matters for young entrepreneurs, agricultural producers and rural communities. Better access to finance could help businesses expand in farming, livestock, fish farming and food processing, while transparent reporting would help establish whether public and development funding is delivering the intended economic benefits.

The debate puts youth employment and agricultural enterprise back in the spotlight as the DRC seeks to strengthen domestic production and create more opportunities beyond the mining sector.