On Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Brazzaville, Christian Yoka, Congolese Minister of Finance, Budget, and Public Portfolio, received Anne Marchal, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Congo, in audience.

Following their meeting, Anne Marchal answered questions from journalists.

You have just met with the Minister of Finance. What was the purpose of your meeting?

First, it was a formal meeting with the Minister, who took office at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts prevented us from meeting sooner. So, this was an opportunity to conduct a comprehensive review of ongoing projects within the framework of the partnership between the European Union and the Republic of Congo. We have a very long-standing partnership, dating back to 1963. We have built upon various areas of cooperation. Today, we are very active in supporting Congo, for the benefit of its people, in key areas of action, including infrastructure modernization, the development of digitalization in the country and its economy, economic diversification, and support for vocational training efforts. We have also been present in the forestry sector for many years. Regarding this sector, I mentioned that a new program will soon be launched. I also raised the issue of governance, which is linked to digitalization.

We have observed that the European Union has stopped funding projects on the ground. What exactly is the situation?

It is true that, for example, when traveling towards Pointe-Noire, I still see signs mentioning support for a project on developing bean cultivation. But these kinds of projects were planned for a certain number of years. They have run their course. I don't recall the EU ever abandoning a project.

What other message would you take away from your meeting with the Minister?

I was very pleased to meet Mr. Yoka and to be able to express my satisfaction with the day-to-day cooperation between the Congolese side and the teams from the EU Delegation.

Moreover, I am surrounded by my colleagues, such as the Head of Cooperation and the Head of the Finance and Contracts Section. My colleagues have a very good relationship with the staff at the Ministry of Finance. This allows us to move forward, on a daily basis, with the implementation of the projects we are carrying out in the interest of the Congolese people. I should also add that I was recently at this Ministry working with the European Investment Bank (EIB), which supports grants financed by the European Union budget and those from European Commission funds. The European Investment Bank has significant concessional lending capabilities. Indeed, within the framework of our Global Gateway strategy, we have opportunities to pool all these instruments. And we also hope to mobilize the private sector to maximize our offering here in Congo.

Communication Unit of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Public Portfolio