Since the 1970s, it has been demonstrated that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are pivotal in the development of nations, be they industrialized, emerging or developing. SMEs form an essential source of economic growth, dynamism and flexibility.

With youth unemployment estimated at over 80%, entrepreneurship provides an alternative for many young people in the DRC who wish to create innovative products and/or services, or adapt existing ones to fulfill current and future demands in the Congolese market.

Most young entrepreneurs are compelled to secure the funding required for the implementation of their projects. Various forums and conferences have highlighted the issue of limited access to finance suffered by small and medium-sized businesses in Africa, in particular the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lack of financing has undermined the growth and progress of these enterprises. Financial activity is increasingly posing a significant economic challenge to the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This publication will examine the challenges that young entrepreneurs face when trying to secure finance from commercial banks. It will do so by comparing the viewpoints of loan officers from the DRC's major banking institutions with those of young entrepreneurs. The study is primarily qualitative, aiming to uncover the underlying causes behind this financing difficulty.