Expression of Interest For Boosting Agri-Entrepreneurship Among Youth In The Republic Of Congo With Behavioral Insights

Expression of Interest for Boosting Agri-Entrepreneurship among Youth in the Republic of Congo with Behavioral Insights Youth unemployment and underemployment are critical challenges in the Republic of Congo. Nationally, 40% of youth aged 1529 are classified as not in employment, education, or training (NEET), with urban youth unemployment rates exceeding 30% (World Bank, 2023). At the same time, malnutrition remains alarmingly high, and the country is heavily dependent on food imports. The 2024 Global Hunger Index ranks Congo 96th out of 127 countries, reflecting serious food insecurity challenges (GHI, 2024). Approximately 33 percent of the population faces food insecurity, and nearly half live below the poverty line of USD 2.15 per day. Among children under five, 21.2% are stunted, and 8.2% suffer from wasting, signaling acute nutritional deficiencies. Anemia affects 48.8% of women aged 1549, further underscoring widespread micronutrient deficiencies. The diet is dominated by cassava, rice, and palm oil, with limited dietary diversity. Rising food and transportation costs have further exacerbated food insecurity. Despite abundant fertile land, only 30% of the countrys food demand is met through domestic production, leaving Congo vulnerable to global supply chain shocks due to limited food systems infrastructure. Agriculture and food transformation sectors hold strong potential for job creation and economic transformation, yet youth participation remains low. These value chains represent not only viable entrepreneurial pathways but also opportunities to improve household nutrition and strengthen national food security. Recognizing the intertwined challenges of youth unemployment and malnutrition, the Government of Congo has prioritized these issues within its broader human capital development strategy. Under Component 6 (Productive Economic Inclusion of Youth) of the Social Protection and Youth Productive Inclusion Project (SPYPIP), supported by the World Bank, the government is investing in programs that develop skills and promote self-employment and entrepreneurship among vulnerable youth aged 1835 in urban and peri-urban areas. This initiative offers a critical opportunity to stimulate youth-led business development and growth in high-potential agricultural and food value chains, which can simultaneously drive economic inclusion and improve national food security. However, early anecdotal evidence shows that youth tend to cluster in oversaturated sectors like hairdressing and tailoring, while promising agriculture and food transformation sectors remain underutilized. Behavioral barriers, such as limited awareness of these sectors potential, risk aversion, and prevailing social norms, may inhibit youth from pursuing these opportunities. Addressing these behavioral challenges is essential to redirect youth engagement towards high-value agricultural sectors, thereby unlocking both economic and nutritional benefits for individuals and communities. To tackle this challenge, the World Bank seeks a firm to conduct formative and diagnostic research, co-design behaviorally informed solutions, and support the integration of these solutions into youth entrepreneurship programming in Congo. Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/6234/view.html

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