Decades of almost uninterrupted civil have left the Democratic Republic of the Congo, leaving severely damaged. What was once a flourishing country must now be reconstructed. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and in cooperation with KfW Entwicklungsbank, GIZ is supporting the Congolese Government in three priority areas.

Biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources
GIZ is promoting and develops skills and resources needed to create a legal, political and institutional framework for environmental protection. Conservation of the tropical rainforest is promoted through support given to the management of selected nature reserves and by support for national eco-certification. A new component of the environmental sector is a project intended to encourage good governance and establish financial transparency in the commodities sector.                  

Water sector reform. GIZ is supporting the Congolese Government in improving the institutional and legal framework for drinking water and sanitation services, and in the sustainable use of water resources. In the process, GIZ is making a significant contribution to stabilising the country by assisting the relevant ministries and sector institutions in restructuring and developing their capacity.

Strengthening the microfinance sector
From 2011, the Congolese Government will be given support to enhance the microfinance sector. Institutions and instruments in the finance sector will receive assistance, access to financial services for rural population will be enhanced, and the use of technological innovations in the financial sector encouraged.