Poverty Reduction in the Republic of Congo – The Borgen Project

Report on Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development Goals in the Republic of Congo

Current Poverty Landscape and Alignment with SDG 1 (No Poverty)

The Republic of Congo faces significant challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty). Despite being rich in natural resources such as petroleum and gas, the nation has not effectively translated this wealth into broad social development. This has resulted in persistent and increasing poverty rates, particularly in rural areas.

• According to the World Food Programme (WFP), 46.5% of the population lives below the international poverty line of $2 per day.
• Recent data indicates that the national poverty rate has increased to 52%.
• This high level of poverty directly undermines progress towards SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), as it limits civilian access to essential services.

Multidimensional Poverty and Contributing Factors

Poverty in the Republic of Congo is a multidimensional issue, with several interconnected factors hindering progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

1. Governance and Institutional Barriers (SDG 16): Weak national governance and corruption have impeded the effective implementation of poverty reduction policies and social development programs, challenging the principles of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
2. Socioeconomic Inequalities (SDG 5 & SDG 10): Significant disparities exist within the population, directly impacting SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Rural populations are 3% more likely to experience multidimensional poverty than urban populations. Furthermore, in alignment with the challenges of SDG 5 (Gender Equality), households headed by women face a 2.5% higher risk of multidimensional poverty compared to those headed by men.
3. Educational Deficits (SDG 4): Access to education is a critical determinant of poverty. Households where the head has not completed secondary education are approximately 24% more susceptible to multidimensional poverty, highlighting a critical gap in achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education).
4. Economic Structure (SDG 8): The nation’s heavy dependence on oil exports creates economic vulnerability due to international price fluctuations. This, combined with high national debt, restricts public investment in social sectors, hindering progress towards SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

National Strategies for Poverty Alleviation and Economic Diversification

In response to these challenges, the Republic of Congo has initiated several programs aimed at fostering sustainable development and reducing poverty.

• The National Development Plan (PND) 2022-2026

  This strategic plan is central to the nation’s efforts to achieve the SDGs. Its primary objective is to diversify the economy away from its reliance on oil, thereby promoting sustainable economic growth as outlined in SDG 8. The PND focuses on poverty reduction, infrastructure development, and overall economic resilience. To support its implementation, the World Bank approved a significant operation in June 2023 as part of its Fiscal Management and Inclusive Growth series.

• The Telema Program

  Meaning “stand up” in Lingala, the Telema program directly addresses SDG 1 and SDG 8 by empowering vulnerable populations. The initiative provides grants and skills training to micro-entrepreneurs to help them establish small-scale projects. Launched in 2019 in Brazzaville, Point-Noir, and Pool, the program has demonstrated success. In 2023, it received an additional 1,968,000,000 CFA from France to expand its reach to the regions of Oyo, Niari, and Lekoumou, furthering its contribution to inclusive economic growth.

Conclusion and Forward Outlook

Long-term poverty reduction in the Republic of Congo is contingent upon the sustained and effective implementation of national strategies like the PND and the Telema program. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a concerted effort to strengthen governance (SDG 16), reduce inequalities (SDG 5 and SDG 10), and create inclusive economic opportunities (SDG 8). By transforming its resource wealth into a foundation for sustainable and equitable development, the Republic of Congo can make significant progress towards a more prosperous future for all its citizens.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article’s central theme is poverty reduction in the Republic of Congo. It explicitly states that “46.5% of the Republic of Congo is living below international poverty lines” and that “poverty rates in the region have spiked to 52%.” It also discusses multidimensional poverty, particularly in rural areas and among women-headed households.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article links education directly to poverty, noting that “households with no secondary school education are more susceptible to multidimensional poverty by approximately 24%.” This highlights the role of education in improving economic well-being.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • A specific gender-based inequality is identified: “women-headed households are at risk of experiencing 2.5% more multidimensional poverty” compared to male-headed households, connecting poverty to gender disparities.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article discusses the country’s economic structure, mentioning its “strong dependence on its oil production” and the need to diversify. The National Development Plan aims to diversify revenue, and the Telema program supports “micro-entrepreneurs” and “job opportunities,” which are key components of this goal.
5. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The Congo’s National Development Plan 2022-2026 is cited as focusing on “infrastructure and economic development,” which is a core element of SDG 9.
6. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article points out inequalities between different groups. It highlights the disparity between rural and urban areas, stating that “populations in rural Congo are 3% more likely to experience multidimensional poverty.” It also addresses the gender inequality mentioned under SDG 5.
7. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article identifies institutional failures as major barriers to development. It mentions “Corruption,” “weak national governance,” and ineffective policies as reasons why “initiatives pertaining to social development programs have not undergone successful execution.”
8. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article provides examples of international partnerships aimed at supporting development. It mentions that “the World Bank approved the final operation in its Fiscal Management and Inclusive Growth series” to support the national plan, and that the Telema program received “an additional 1,968,000,000 CFA from France.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
   • The article’s focus on multidimensional poverty, especially its higher prevalence in rural areas and among women-headed households, directly relates to this target.
2. Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources.
   • The Telema program, which “mobilizes micro-entrepreneurs and those vulnerable to poverty to start micro-projects” by providing grants and training, is a direct effort towards achieving this target.
3. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • The article’s mention that the Telema program provides “skills training” to participants aligns with this target of equipping people with skills for economic activity.
4. Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources.
   • While not explicitly stated as a gender-focused program, the Telema program’s support for micro-entrepreneurs, including vulnerable populations, can be seen as a mechanism to address the economic disparity faced by women-headed households mentioned in the article.
5. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.
   • The Congo’s National Development Plan 2022-2026, which focuses on “redirecting the country’s reliance on oil and diversifying its revenue,” directly addresses this target.
6. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.
   • The Telema program, which supports micro-entrepreneurs and the creation of micro-projects, is a clear example of an initiative aimed at this target.
7. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • The article’s identification of “weak national governance” and “corruption” as key barriers to poverty reduction implies a direct need to work towards this target.
8. Target 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.
   • The funding from France for the Telema program (“an additional 1,968,000,000 CFA”) is a specific example of mobilizing financial resources from an external source.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of population below the international poverty line.
   • The article provides a specific figure: “46.5% of the Republic of Congo is living below international poverty lines, equating to $2 a day.” This is a direct measure for this indicator.
2. Indicator 1.2.2: Proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
   • The article directly refers to this by discussing multidimensional poverty and providing disaggregated data: “populations in rural Congo are 3% more likely to experience multidimensional poverty” and “women-headed households are at risk of experiencing 2.5% more multidimensional poverty.”
3. Implied Indicator for SDG 4: Proportion of the population with at least secondary school education.
   • The article implies this indicator by stating that “households with no secondary school education are more susceptible to multidimensional poverty by approximately 24%.” Tracking the rate of secondary school completion would be a way to measure progress.
4. Implied Indicator for SDG 8: Number of micro-enterprises supported or created.
   • The description of the Telema program, which “mobilizes micro-entrepreneurs… to start micro-projects,” implies that the number of participants or projects would be a key indicator of its success.
5. Indicator 17.3.1: Additional financial resources mobilized for developing countries from multiple sources.
   • The article provides a concrete value for this indicator by mentioning the “additional 1,968,000,000 CFA from France” for the Telema program.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: borgenproject.org