Democratic Republic of Congo | Home

Democratic Republic of Congo

Contacts

Yves Bawa

country director
ybawa@pactworld.org

Nikita Gurudas

program manager
ngurudas@pactworld.org

Since 2003, Pact has worked on a wide range of development issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo, mostly focused on artisanal and small-scale mining communties. Our work in DRC is helping to make this critical livelihood safer, more formalized and productive, and free of human rights abuses. 

Pact leads field implementation for ITSCI, the International Tin Association’s tin supply chain initiative. ITSCI is the region’s only internationally accepted, operational due diligence mechanism and mineral traceability system for the 3T minerals: tungsten, tin and tantalum. In several DRC provinces as well as in Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, the system monitors minerals from the point of extraction at mines sites to smelters, where minerals are processed for use in electronics and other everyday devices. This allows tens of thousands of miners to earn a dignified living and build a better future for themselves and their families. 

Pact is also helping communities in DRC to markedly reduce child mining. Launched in 2015, our Children Out of Mining project has worked with local and international partners as well as private-sector companies to address this critical issue. With positive, collective action and an integrated package of interventions designed to address root causes, Pact and its partners have changed attitudes and norms regarding child labor, increased community awareness of children’s rights and helped families find alternative ways to earn income.

In partnership with USAID, Pact is also working to reduce conflict between DRC's Batwa and Baluba people by strengthening conflict mitigation mechanisms and resolution processes for peace-building, and improving livelihoods through social cohesion and collaboration.

Pact’s diverse funding streams in DRC include both public and private sector funding, allowing for a dynamic and holistic portfolio. We work with a wide range of stakeholders including communities, local civil society organizations, industry and national, provincial and local government institutions. 

Stories and Highlights

Toward a successful localization of the ITSCI Programme’s implementation in Africa’s Great Lakes Region

September 11, 2023
After more than 10 years of successful progress, Pact and ITSCI believe that local management teams have the ability and expertise to lead and deliver the implementation of ITSCI on the...

Daniel’s story: From militiaman to peacemaker in the Democratic Republic of Congo

July 31, 2023
In good spirits, sitting under a mango tree with a smile on his face, Daniel Amisi Jean shares his story. He is 49, from the Twa community and the father of seven children. He lives with his family...

To tackle climate change and conflict, DRC communities take ownership of reforestation

June 14, 2023
To build lasting peace among communities that have long suffered from violent conflict, those communities must be deeply engaged in solutions. This is the approach that Pact and our partners take in...

As a DRC community recovers from conflict, improved rice farming fosters prosperity

April 17, 2023
Tanganyika, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a province plagued by inter-community conflict, and the city of Nyemba has not been spared. The Nyemba-Kinsunkulu axis in particular has seen...

In DRC, first aid trainings, outreach help miners improve occupational health and safety

April 5, 2023
Pact works in partnership with governments, industry and artisanal miners to make small-scale mining (ASM) safer, more productive and equitable. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, we’ve been...

Reducing child labor in mining in DRC through economic empowerment

April 3, 2023
Child labor has been reported at 1 in 4 artisanal and small-scall mining (ASM) sites in DRC. Pact is addressing the underlying causes of child labor in mining, including through our WORTH model...

With Pact’s support, a mother in DRC builds peace and fights poverty through farming

March 22, 2023
  Perpetue Ramazani, 45, has long farmed in her rural village in Tanganyika, in the southeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo. But her yields of cassava were barely enough to sustain her and her...

Artisanal miners: A hidden but critical force in the global economy

January 25, 2023
What comes to mind when you hear the term artisanal miner? Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about artisanal and small-scale miners, including that their work results in largely negative...

Six reasons why industry must end slavery in cobalt supply chains

October 12, 2022
In this Context article, Pact's Amayèle Dia and James McQuilken explore key reasons why it’s time for businesses to understand that it’s not just morally right to tackle modern slavery, it’s good for...

Q&A: How Pact is building sustainable energy access & productive energy use around the globe

September 27, 2022
Globally, more than 1 billion people lack access to reliable, affordable energy. This presents a significant roadblock to development. Pact is working to end energy poverty and build a future in...