The Steering and Monitoring Committee (COS) of the Debt Reduction-Development Contract (C2D) was held, for the 6th consecutive time, on Tuesday June 13, 2023 in Brazzaville. It took stock of the existence of the said Contract since 2010, in particular the recommendations and decisions of its last annual session in February 2022. The participants made recommendations for the future.

This meeting was co-chaired by the Congolese Minister of Economy and Finance, Jean-Baptiste Ondaye, and His Excellency the French Ambassador to Congo, François Barateau. In the presence of two members of the Government, namely: the Minister of Forestry Economy, Rosalie Matondo, and her colleague from Higher Education, scientific research and technological innovation, Delphine Emmanuel Edith née Adouki.

In terms of assessment of the 13 years of existence of the C2D, Minister Jean-Baptiste Ondaye indicated that "to date, the entire envelope of 229 million Euros (i.e. 150 billion 200 million CFA francs ) was committed to finance the thirteen (13) projects and the two (2) Capacity Building Study Funds (FERC)”.

The results of some projects

The results observed by beneficiaries in the execution of recent projects relate, in particular, to monetary transfers to 50,000 people, within the framework of the Lisungi Project; on access to reinforced social services, within the framework of the PARFTS and TELEMA Projects; on environmental sanitation, for the benefit of 150,000 inhabitants of the Bacongo and Makélékélé districts in Brazzaville, thanks to urban renovations and the construction of the Makélékélé canal (known as “Zanga dia Bangombé”), associated with the Road Project. the Corniche, and also 5 Education, Training and Learning Centers (CEFA). These Centers have been renovated and are now operational to train 1,000 young people per year. We will not forget the construction of the National Institute of Social Work (INTS) which, since its opening in the new premises in 2021, has been able to train several hundred professionals. Today, the vast majority of them are employed.

Some projects in progress

Among the projects currently being implemented, there is the construction of the multi-service center for the valorization of bio-resources, as part of the Support Project for the Modernization of Higher Education (AMES), financed to the tune of 8 million of Euros (i.e. 5 billion 247 million 656,000 F CFA), or the completion of the sanitation works of the Hospital and University Center (CHU) of Brazzaville, financed to the tune of 10 million Euros (i.e. 6 billion 559 million 570,000 CFA francs).

The opportunity was ideal for the two co-presidents of the 6th COS to assess the level of Franco-Congolese cooperation, through the C2D. François Barateau underlined “the vigor and quality of the Franco-Congolese partnership”, while Jean-Baptiste Ondaye indicated “the importance of supporting the proper execution of projects in the Social Sectors, Human Capital and Vulnerable Populations”. Adding that “the successful completion of the projects included in the C2D requires 4 main requirements: good governance in all areas of activity; active and diligent participation in the daily management of current projects; speed in the payment of overdue arrears; and the implementation of the recommendations of the Steering and Monitoring Committee.”

The recommendations

The sixth Steering and Monitoring Committee recommended, in particular to project coordinators, to highlight the achievements of said projects, as they are executed. He also recommended strengthening the visibility of projects financed by AFD and improving communication on the positive impacts of these projects for the benefit of populations. Because they do not always know who finances these projects.

Note that the C2D COS session was marked by an extramural visit, that is to say by an exit of the participants from the room. They went out into the field to visit some achievements in Brazzaville, notably the Route de la Corniche-sud, in its Case de Gaulle (Bacongo)-Rond-point Avenue Fulbert Youlou (Makélékélé) section and the National Institute of Social Work ( INTS), in the 2nd arrondissement.

As a reminder, the C2D was concluded in 2010 between Congo and France, as a specific subsidy system in the following 4 priority sectors: Support for the most vulnerable; Employment and youth; Infrastructure; and Agriculture & Environment.

The Communication Unit of the Ministry of Economy and Finance

Photo credits : B2B Communication