The Context
Central Africa is home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the most populous nation on the continent with around 105 million inhabitants and the second-largest country in Africa by land area.
The country has long faced political unrest, conflicts, and economic challenges. As a result, the local education system has struggled with many problems, such as insufficient funding from the government and international donors, a lack of qualified teachers, and significant gender disparities that prevent girls from accessing the same quality of education as boys. Outdated curricula also add to the challenge and do not prepare students for the current job market.
ST Foundation’s Presence
The DRC was the first country outside of the ST area to be included in the ST Foundation’s efforts, chosen for the complexity of its challenges. The Foundation’s journey began in 2005 with Movimento per la Lotta Contro la Fame Nel Mondo (MLFM) as its first partner, leading to the establishment of two Digital Unify (DU) hubs in the South Kivu region. Although the partnership ended in 2008, we remained committed to bridging the digital divide in the country.
By the end of March 2024, the Foundation had trained over 89,000 individuals. With existing partnerships being concluded, the Foundation is gradually withdrawing from the country, strategically scaling down its presence after years of impactful service.
