The investment signals the country’s renewed push for stronger productive capacity to drive economic transformation, inclusive growth and sustainable development.
© UN Environment Programme | Tshopo hydroelectric plant, Orientale Province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In a move to boost its productive capacities, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has tapped UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for related support in analytical research and technical cooperation.
The African country is dedicating $500,000 for the work, including most notably the development of a holistic programme, along with statistical training and a national gap assessment undertaken by UNCTAD on productive capacities.
Such capacities refer to the core resources, skills, infrastructure and institutions that enable countries to produce goods and services competitively and sustainably – often key to economic diversification and resilience-building.
In a world of rising uncertainty, it’s increasingly crucial for countries to build, maintain and enhance these capacities to create jobs, add value to domestic industries and strategically position themselves in global supply chains.
Groundbreaking approach to productive capacity building
UNCTAD uses its multidimensional Productive Capacities Index, launched in 2021, to identify gaps and policy recommendations for 195 economies.
The groundbreaking index is the foundation for preparing UNCTAD’s National Productive Capacities Gap Assessments – a series of studies offering actionable insights into the socioeconomic performance of structurally weak and vulnerable economies.
They help identify each county’s comparative advantages and binding constraints to economic development, mapping intervention strategies through Holistic Productive Capacities Development Programmes.
These programmes aim to equip participating countries with the tools, as well as human and institutional capacities, to formulate and implement sound policies and strategies in the long run.
How DR Congo fares in productive capacities
UNCTAD data show that the Democratic Republic of the Congo – a least developed country – make progress, albeit modest and inconsistent, towards productive capacity development.
The nation, the second largest in Africa by area, performs relatively better on its natural capital score thanks to vast mineral and land resources.
But the country’s limited digital infrastructure holds back its performance in energy and information and communication technology – both among core aspects measured by the Productive Capacities Index.
More analysis available on UNCTAD’s data hub.
What to expect from UNCTAD assistance
Aligned with the nation’s development objectives, UNCTAD is proposing tailored support to strengthen productive capacities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including:
- Applying the Productive Capacities Index (PCI) to analyze gaps and potential across eight components of productive capacities.
- Providing technical cooperation and training on the PCI to improve statistical and institutional capacities.
- Undertaking a National Productive Capacities Gap Assessment to map domestic policies, institutions and comparative advantages, as well as identifying key constraints through broad-based consultations.
- Formulating a Holistic Productive Capacities Development Programme – an integrated, multi-sectoral, multi-year plan to guide structural transformation, supported by UNCTAD technical guidance for implementation.
By committing domestic financial resources, the Democratic Republic of the Congo underscores its determination to implement evidence-based strategies and multi-sectoral programmes that will foster long-term economic resilience.