Empowering Congolese women by integrating them into the bioethanol value chain
14 June 2024
Bukavu, 30 May 2024 – UNIDO and Japan have provided trainings in the production of bioethanol from sugarcane for medical use, group savings and loans, and entrepreneurship development to 300 vulnerable women in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through the project, “Economic empowerment of vulnerable women toward social stabilization in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo”.
Minako Suga, the First Secretary and Head of Cooperation of the Embassy of Japan in the DRC, attended the training on bioethanol production, which covered raw material supply management, bioethanol quality management, and occupational safety.
She encouraged the trainees stating, “Through this training session, Japan intends to contribute to peace and stability by supporting the economic empowerment and social reintegration of vulnerable women. I am convinced that you will contribute to the realization of a peaceful and stable society, by becoming a driving force for the development of this country and the region.”
The project, funded by the Government of Japan, is being implemented in partnership with the Government of DRC, the Panzi Foundation, the University of Tokyo, and a Japanese NGO, RITA Congo. The project aims to unleash the potential of Congolese women by integrating them into the bioethanol value chain, accentuating their contributions to the industry and medical health services, while strengthening their economic participation for financial independence and self-confidence.
The bioethanol production will start soon at a plant set up by the project in the compound of the Panzi Foundation in Bukavu, South Kivu Province.