AfDB Strengthens Project Management in the DRC
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has concluded a four-day capacity-building workshop in Kinshasa aimed at strengthening project management and improving the performance of Bank-financed operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Held from 8 to 11 September 2025, the workshop was organised by the African Development Institute and the Bank’s fiduciary departments, in collaboration with the AfDB Country Office. It brought together representatives from government ministries, the Court of Auditors and project implementation teams.
Opening the event, Mohamed Coulibaly, the Bank’s Acting Country Manager in the DRC, emphasised that the training would enhance accountability, transparency and project effectiveness. “This initiative will ensure the transfer of knowledge on the Bank’s rules, procedures and best practices,” he said.
Alain K. Malata, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Finance, underscored the importance of participant engagement, stating: “The quality of your commitment during this workshop will be decisive in improving the performance of the national portfolio.”
Ann Sow Dao, Division Manager for Programme Management at the African Development Institute, added that investing in capacity building was a high-impact intervention with lasting benefits for operational quality.
The training covered key areas such as financial management, procurement, monitoring and evaluation, and results-based management. Participants also exchanged experiences and shared best practices to strengthen project delivery.
Jean Luemba Lukumbu, Coordinator of the National Road 1 Renovation Project, described the sessions as invaluable. “We gained new knowledge about the standards and methodologies required to ensure effective project implementation,” he said.
Ruth Mpata Ndaya, an administrative and financial assistant with the Ngandajika Agro-Industrial Development Support Programme (PRODAN), highlighted the practical benefits: “This workshop strengthened my skills in results-based project management, strategic planning and quality management, which I will share with my colleagues to achieve better results.”
Recommendations from the workshop will be integrated into the Bank’s ongoing portfolio management in the DRC.
As of 1 September 2025, the AfDB’s portfolio in the country comprised 25 active projects valued at approximately USD 1.5 billion, with investments directed towards transport (30.8%), agriculture (30.3%), energy (16.9%), social sectors (12.7%) and other sectors (3.96%).
