Entry Points for Targeted Digital Finance Services for Smallholder Farmers in the Democratic Republic Of Congo

In May 2022, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Food Program, and partners began to design a new program, the Empowerment through Nutrition-sensitive, Inclusive, and Resilient Agricultural and Rural Entrepreneurship (AVENIR) project. The AVENIR project aims to contribute to the reduction of rural poverty and improve the nutrition of rural populations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Over a seven-year implementation period (2023 to 2029), AVENIR will focus on transforming family farming, inclusive agricultural and rural entrepreneurship and opening up territorial markets.

This study highlights key discoveries from the assessment, including challenges, opportunities and recommended next steps and partnerships for the AVENIR project. The goal of this case study is to provide inspiration for program designers, implementers and others who want to understand some of the challenges and entry points for increasing rural finance via digital technologies and/or the digital landscape in DRC.