March 26, 2026 — The British Embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo brought together government representatives, a UK-diaspora delegation of financial services and SME ecosystem actors, financial institutions, and high-potential Congolese entrepreneurs for the UK–DRC Policy & Demo Day. This flagship event aimed to strengthen the country’s SME and startup ecosystem and catalyze further private investment into the Congolese economy.
The event was held under the framework of the ABC–DRC BRIDGE program, funded by the British government through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by AFFORD UK and MDF in collaboration with the British Embassy in Kinshasa. The program aims to develop a pipeline of investment-ready Congolese businesses while positioning the diaspora as a strategic bridge to mobilize broader British and international capital for the DRC.
Joevas Asare, Technical Lead of the ABC-DRC:BRIDGE program, stated:
“The ABC–DRC:BRIDGE program was designed to be catalytic. Diaspora investment is already a significant component of African growth. However, as development finance evolves, it is necessary to organize and scale this investment as an active driver of growth in Africa. The FCDO in DRC is among the first actors to support this ambition, demonstrating how diaspora investment can become an impactful lever for private sector development. This program can pave the way for increased support to the government and the wider ecosystem, in the DRC and beyond, to create scalable pathways for diaspora investment.”
By uniting policy dialogue and market engagement on a single platform, the event reflects a clear commitment to moving beyond isolated initiatives toward building a truly investable ecosystem—where entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers align around growth trajectories and capital mobilization.
Stella Opoku-Owusu, Executive Director of AFFORD UK, stated:
“By focusing on enterprise and employment in Africa through the strengthening of diaspora contributions, ABC–DRC:BRIDGE confirms the impact of this model on business growth. The companies we have had the privilege to support have benefited from the expertise, leadership, mentoring, and advocacy of the diaspora. The diaspora plays an essential role not just as a resource, but as a catalyst for SME financing and a facilitator of network access. Through ABC–DRC:BRIDGE, the diaspora has brought its characteristic blend of commitment, creativity, sustainability, and excellence.”
The Demo Day morning session offered a market-oriented platform for Congolese SMEs that received incubation and acceleration support through the program. These businesses presented their business models to a targeted audience of investors, partners, and policymakers, demonstrating both the depth of the DRC’s entrepreneurial potential and the progress made in enhancing their investment readiness.
The afternoon was dedicated to Policy Dialogue, attended by the Minister of SMEs and Entrepreneurship and several key ecosystem stakeholders. Discussions were based on a Policy Note developed under the program, identifying primary bottlenecks and offering evidence-based recommendations to foster an environment more conducive to investment, SME development, and diaspora participation.
Safi Kalumbi Beatrice, Business Development & Partnerships Manager / Project Lead at MDF, stated:
“The Demo & Policy Day marks a significant milestone in advancing entrepreneurship and private sector development in the DRC. The ABC–DRC:BRIDGE program has been both impactful and extremely rewarding—it was particularly encouraging to see the resilience, growth, and commitment of the startups and SMEs throughout the journey. What worked particularly well was the balance between structured hybrid training (online and in-person), hands-on support, and close collaboration with partners and entrepreneurs. This allowed us to offer relevant, adaptive support aligned with the real needs of the businesses. We look forward to continuing this momentum and expanding the program’s reach to support more SMEs in building a dynamic green economy that creates jobs and fosters sustainable, inclusive growth.”
A central theme of the day was the role of the diaspora, not only as a source of capital but as a catalyst for investor confidence. By serving as a reliable bridge between Congolese opportunities and British and international investors, diaspora actors can foster broader mobilization of UK capital, venture capitalists, and financial institutions.
Speaking at the event, the British Embassy emphasized the importance of connecting policy ambition to concrete investment pathways:
“The DRC does not lack opportunities or entrepreneurial talent. The priority now is to build structured pathways connecting these opportunities to capital. This requires coordinated action between public policy, finance, and ecosystem development, with the diaspora playing a catalytic role in linking local potential with British and international investment.”
By combining policy dialogue with direct investor engagement, the UK–DRC Policy & Demo Day aims to move from discussion to action, supporting subsequent partnerships, investment conversations, and long-term collaborations within the ecosystem.
The British Embassy reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting a Congolese private sector that is green, inclusive, and investment-ready, while strengthening economic partnerships and commercial engagement between the United Kingdom and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Press release
