The Democratic Republic of Congo has just taken a decisive step forward in its ecological transition. On Tuesday, a historic interministerial decree was signed in Kinshasa, formalizing green jobs and professions throughout the country for the first time. This major advance is part of an ambitious strategy to create 100,000 green jobs by 2031.
Jointly supported by the Ministries of Employment and Labor, and Environment, Sustainable Development, and New Climate Economy, this initiative demonstrates strong political will. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa hailed the decision as a strategic turning point. She stated that the DRC will no longer be content to be the lungs of the world, but will also become the global factory for green jobs. The program will train 100,000 young women and men in sustainable sectors such as recycling, renewable energy, forest management, and green hydrogen.
According to the documents adopted, 84 green jobs have been officially recognized, spread across 11 strategic sectors. These include 20 occupations in sustainable agriculture, 13 in renewable energy, 9 in waste recovery, and 11 in green hydrogen. This work, carried out by the National Institute for Professional Preparation (INPP), has also led to the validation of the National Green Jobs Development Plan (PNDV-RDC).
The Minister of Employment, Ferdinand Massamba Wa Massamba, emphasized the political and social significance of this initiative. He recalled that the Head of State had instructed the Government to develop a national green jobs policy, with ecological planning tools and mechanisms to provide decent jobs for Congolese youth.
Secretary General for Employment Donat Bagula emphasized the integrative role of the PNDV-DRC, designed to respond to the dual crisis of the labor market and demographic pressure, while aligning with the United Nations 2025 framework for sustainable development cooperation.
Three founding documents have been developed: the Green Jobs Directory, the PNDV-DRC, and the draft interministerial decree. These texts give legal status to green jobs, a first in the history of the DRC.
Environment Minister Marie Nyange Ndambo emphasized the strategic importance of these tools in preparing for COP 30. She stated that sustainable forest management must be based on concrete instruments and that the DRC is currently the only country in the Congo Basin to have equipped itself with such tools.
The training program will begin in 2026 with an initial cohort of 15,000 young people, including 5,000 from vulnerable backgrounds. The INPP will provide technical coordination, with a focus on training trainers and creating a National Observatory for Green Jobs.
The plan is based on four main pillars: strong political commitment to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals, prioritization of high-impact green sectors, strengthening of vocational training provision, and the creation of a National Fund to Support Green Jobs.
Through this bold initiative, the DRC is affirming its commitment to combining economic growth with environmental protection, proving that the country’s future can be green, inclusive, and full of hope for its youth.
Editorial team
