DR Congo outlines growth trajectory

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DR Congo, is vowing to change overseas perceptions of the country as poverty stricken and ridden with conflicts and diseases.

Speaking during the recently concluded Makutano Forum, held in the country's capital Kinshasa on Sept 6-7, Felix Tshisekedi, president of DR Congo, expressed confidence and passion to set the country on a growth trajectory.

Tshisekedi took office in January 2019 after winning the December election. The country had the first transfer of power through ballot box. His government faces the challenge of addressing political instability, improving governance and growing the economy. He announced his initiative in August.

"My 100-day program is the beginning of a vast national development plan to make the DR Congo play its role in the African integration process," he said.

The president said that the DR Congo has a lot of potential and promising prospects that can transform the country into one of the richest economies in Africa. Toward that end, he said they will diversify the economy to leverage on agriculture among other sectors.

He said despite the country having 80 million hectares of arable land and 40 million hectares of irrigable land, the country imports 90 percent of its basic consumer goods.

The president called on the youth, most of who have migrated to urban centers, to invest in agriculture, saying his government will improve the living conditions in the rural areas through creation of agribusiness zones and construction of basic infrastructure.

"The DR Congo population is expected to hit 200 million by 2050, out of which over 60 percent will be below 25 years old. This is a real lever for development, but it can become a major risk, if we don't make the right decisions today. Currently, nearly 40 percent of the Congolese population lives in cities and this figure may exceed 50 percent by 2050," Tshisekedi said.

Tshisekedi said his country was already awakened. "The DR Congo has for long been termed as a giant with clay feet, However, the country is now standing and ready to move forward," he said.

Tshisekedi will also focus on developing the energy sector, a priority for industrialization.

He said the DR Congo has a combined energy potential of more than 200,000 megawatts, including 100,000 megawatts in hydropower, which coupled with its natural resources and geographical position can make the country a true global energy web.

He added that the country is rich in fresh water, thus it can help solve the desertification challenge threatening north and southern parts of Africa.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Global 09/13/2019 page4)