Entrepreneurship Championed as Key Driver for Economic Growth in the DRC
KINSHASA – At a scientific conference held to launch the new edition of Empreinte Magazine, entrepreneurship was championed as the definitive route to creating value, reducing unemployment, and building a more resilient national economy.
A Gathering of Minds
The event, themed “Entrepreneurship at the Heart of Economic Development: Challenges and Opportunities in the DRC,” brought together a diverse group of entrepreneurs, government officials, investors, students, and journalists.
“The theme for our launch was not chosen at random; it reflects the reality of our country—young, dynamic, and rich in resources, yet facing significant challenges,” said José Nyami Shopo, the magazine’s Managing Director. “In the face of these challenges, entrepreneurship stands as a royal path toward value creation, reducing the unemployment rate, and building a more resilient national economy.”
A Platform for Change-Makers
He emphasized that Empreinte Magazine remains dedicated to its core mission of highlighting those who drive progress. “The magazine aims to be a platform for expression, inspiration, and recognition for all the actors who, through their initiatives, contribute to building a strong and prosperous DRC,” Nyami added.
According to the Managing Director, the publication gives a voice to the Congolese innovators who are determined to turn obstacles into opportunities. He also stressed the critical need for a supportive environment for business creation. “Nothing can develop in a vacuum. This requires a favorable ecosystem, appropriate public policy, access to financing, adequate training, and above all, a mindset oriented toward creation rather than stagnation,” he stated.
Nyami specified that the magazine’s goal is to provoke debate and encourage essential dialogue between the public, private, and academic sectors.
A Call to Collective Action
“We want to remind everyone that every Congolese can leave a positive mark on our country’s development,” he concluded. “Whether an entrepreneur, civil servant, student, or investor, everyone has a role to play in building a common future, based on creativity, responsibility, and solidarity.”
Supporting Concrete Initiatives
In a tangible demonstration of support, several entrepreneurs received financial assistance during the event. Among them was Roger Katembwe, President of the NGO Espace Vital, which is dedicated to guiding marginalized youth.
“We cannot stand idly by as long as we witness certain injustices within society,” Nyami explained. “Our mission is not only to provide guidance but also to take action through concrete deeds in terms of funding, with the support of our benefactor partners.”
Katembwe expressed profound gratitude for the support. “My feelings are so mixed, torn between hope and despair. For once, entrepreneurs have considered looking towards the children who are always neglected. These children I guide need the love of the wider community,” he shared.
Marked by constructive exchanges and inspiring testimonies, the scientific day successfully underscored the central role of entrepreneurship in forging a stronger and more inclusive economy for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Editorial Team
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