This subproject on entrepreneurship in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) seeks to improve the living conditions of vulnerable groups in the Katanga Copperbelt Area (KCA), particularly youth, women and marginalized populations, by fostering entrepreneurship and eco-friendly practices.
It focuses on building entrepreneurial capacity through academic training, continuous education programs, and the creation of support structures like a business incubation unit at UNILU. By addressing poverty, unemployment, and governance issues, the project aims to empower communities, promote economic growth through micro-enterprises, and build scientific research capacity by training PhD-qualified researchers to lead sustainable development efforts.
The study site is located in the KCA region (Sakania-Mokambo-Kasumbalesa-Kipushi-Lubumbashi-Likasi-Kolwezi-Kamoa)
Currently 2 PhDstudents are supported by this subproject:
Trésor Mutuila Mupeta (VUB)
Victoire Muheme Mukuzo (VUB)
Local Team Leader:
Prof. Pascale Sem Mbimbi, sem.pascal@gmail.com
Local co-team leader:
Prof. Michel Kasombo Tshibanda, michelkasombo@gmail.com
Flemish team leader:
Prof. Allard Van Riel, allard.vanriel@uhasselt.be
UNILU (students, teachers, laboratory and research center staff)
Provincial services (provincial divisions of environment, mining, health, rural development, gender, women and children, agriculture...) and public research centers and institutions (i.e. CRAA)
The populations of the (peri-)urban and rural areas of the KCA (represented by civil society, farmer’s organisations and women’s organizations like Femmes Entrepreneurs de RDC, SAFEKA, etc.
Mining companies & nonmining companies, private & public compagnies, Social entrepreneurs
International CSOs (NGOs, banks, ANADEC, FEC...) and higher institutes and universities, churches in KCA
International cooperation (Vlir-Uos, ARES…)