On May 15, 2025, the Club du Bâtiment et des Travaux Publics et de la Chambre des Métiers et de l’Artisanat (Club BTP & CMA) and the Regulatory Authority for Subcontracting in the Private Sector (ARSP) signed a landmark agreement in Kinshasa, in collaboration with the Minister of Professional Training. This agreement marks a decisive step toward building a stronger Congolese middle class by formalizing the training, certification, and employment of local artisans and skilled workers.
The partnership reflects the national agenda of President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration to empower local citizens and create sustainable economic development through workforce transformation. In his keynote address at the signing ceremony, Mr. Jean BAMANISA SAIDI, President of Club BTP & CMA and a DRC Senator, emphasized that this agreement represents a “collective commitment to build a prosperous future for the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
Mr. Bamanisa acknowledged the vital role of private sector partners in supporting this vision, stating: “Thanks to the commitment of our distinguished members, notably DGC AFRICA and Kamoa Copper, we are launching a new era of professional training and certification for the Congolese workforce.”
The Club BTP & CMA initiative focuses on:
Prioritizing local employment: Ensuring subcontractors hire Congolese citizens trained to international standards
Promoting skills development: Creating specialized schools in civil engineering and architecture to train the next generation of leaders.
Certifying local talent: Launching training-of-trainers and certification programs to align with ISO and ACQF standards.
Creating opportunity: Building a national digital database of certified artisans accessible to private employers
Supporting enterprise: Encouraging the creation of small businesses, cooperatives, and local associations
The implementation of this initiative will be led by DGC AFRICA Skills, the education and training division of Dickinson Group of Companies (DGC). DGC AFRICA Skills is responsible for developing vocational programs, accrediting centers, and piloting certification systems in collaboration with partners such as Kamoa Copper and the National Institute of Professional Preparation (INPP).
Pilot sessions are already underway in Lualaba Province, and audits are being conducted to accredit training centers in accordance with international quality standards. These certifications will open new opportunities for Congolese workers in both local and international markets.
Mr. Hervé Kisula has been appointed Deputy Vice President of Club BTP & CMA. Reflecting on the milestone, he stated: “With DGC AFRICA Skills serving as the national certifying authority, we’re positioned to deliver a fully compliant, job-ready, and locally qualified workforce to our clients. It’s a strategic edge that enhances our value proposition on major projects and national development programs.”
Mr. Bamanisa concluded with a powerful call to action: “Let this collaboration be the beginning of an industrial and social revolution in the DRC.”
Published May 25, 2025