DRC recognizes that beyond health and well-being, universal health coverage (UHC) also contributes to social inclusion, gender equality, poverty eradication, economic growth and human dignity. DRC is facing chronic health crises and catastrophic health spending is pushing millions of households into poverty. This hampers the universal health coverage objective of leaving no one behind.

The Government's ambition is to implement universal health coverage (UHC). This should be characterized by structural reforms throughout the sector and actions, including construction, rehabilitation of infrastructure, reinforcement of medical equipment and supply of medicines, health facilities and a significant reduction in the cost of hospitalization.

By investing in UHC and digital health technology, there is potential to extend health care services to remote areas and, as indicated by synergies, to enhance investments in energy, decent jobs and improved nutrition and in reducing poverty and inequalities.

The creation of decent jobs is a priority of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially for the young and rapidly growing workforce. The labour force is estimated  to have increased from 14 million in 1990 to 35 million in 2022. This growing labour force would benefit from investments in youth employment, education and training (target 8.6) and in relevant skills for financial success (target 4.4).

The challenge is that jobs do not pay commensurate to the cost of living and growing exclusion of youths from decent jobs. This brings to the fore two issues – wages too low to be commensurate with decent living, and wages not increasing at least at the pace of inflation.

Investing in SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) will address DRC’s current employment challenges by focusing on key priority areas, such as poverty eradication, zero hunger, improved health care and education.

Progress on Target 8.5 should be supported by policies to ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production (target 2.4), access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems, especially roads to open up rural areas and strengthening institutions to deliver public services (target 16.6).

Access to safe and affordable housing and basic services including water is important for DRC to achieve the SDGs. Despite abundant resources, the DRC is facing a water crisis, mainly in rural areas. Less than 58% of Congolese have access to an improved source of drinking water, with less than 40% in rural areas.

What is more, the DRC is facing high water contamination. More than 70% of Congolese use drinking water contaminated with E-coli bacteria. This contamination exposes the population, particularly poor, to a permanent risk. Water, sanitation and hygiene continue to be the third risk factor associated with death or disability in the country. Lack of access to water also hampers efforts in the areas of education (SDG 3) and gender equality (SDG 5).

Progress in achieving SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), aligns with the government efforts to increase investment in basic public services (health, education, WASH, electricity and other basic services) and the effective implementation of Law No. 15/026 of 31 December 2015 on water. Specifically, Law No. 15/026 of 31 December on water has created a legal basis by decentralizing the water service and promotes the emergence of alternative autonomous operators.

In addition, efforts are called for to integrate sustainable transportation systems and to enhance disaster preparedness to ensure resilient and sustainable urban development. Investing in target 11.1 can enhance the quality of settlements and ensuring access to essential services, such as electricity, water, sanitation, education, health care, roads and internet connectivity and access.

The rehabilitation of damaged transport infrastructure remains a priority. Better connectivity can revive economic activity,  boost growth. And development across other SDGs. The country has 58,129 km of roads of general interest that connect the capitals of the provinces; 86,871 km of agricultural feeder roads; and 7,400 km of urban roads.  However, only 5,065 km of roads are paved.

To open-up several regions and to revive agricultural activities (SDG 2), linking producers, mainly small agricultural producers, and the market (SDG 8), the government, within the framework of the Local Development Programme of the 145 Territories of the DRC, initiated the rehabilitation and maintenance of more than 38,000 km of agricultural feeder roads, including more than 400 bridges and culverts. However, given DRC’s geographical dispersion, improving in-land transportation is essential for livelihood, trade  and commerce.

Provision of low-cost public transport systems makes the country more inclusive, safe and sustainable. Effective and low-cost public transportation reduces urban poverty and inequalities and enhances inclusive growth through increasing agricultural productivity, access to jobs, health care, education services and other public goods, therefore contributing to reliable and resilient infrastructure, although it must be accompanied by careful consideration of potential environmental and air pollution trade-offs.

For nearly three decades, the DRC has experienced recurrent and evolving cycles of conflict and violence, mainly in eastern DRC. Mass rape, kidnapping, destruction of property and abductions are common and cause much misery to the population. The humanitarian drama is one of the most critical of the twenty-first century.

Achieving peace is crucial to accelerate the path to sustainable development, reducing humanitarian need, and building strong institutions. It is the founding block to build social cohesion.

Achieving peace and effective control of eastern DRC is crucial to accelerate sustainable development and build strong institutions. Meanwhile, DRC can take specific measures to protect vulnerable groups and uphold human rights for all, including legal reforms and harmonization efforts, as well as ensuring equitable access to inclusive and responsive legal and social services. Enhancing mechanisms for accountability for conflict-related violence will also enable DRC to seize these opportunities and progress towards a secure and prosperous future for all

DRC recognises that effective, accountable and transparent institutions play a vital role in promoting good governance practices, which are also instrumental for the successful achievement of the SDGs.

The Government has laid an agenda to strengthen the capacity of state institutions, including the legislature and judicial entities to ensure rule of law and justice, reduce corruption and improve public service delivery. This, in turn, will have positive impacts on multiple development outcomes – such as reducing inequalities and improving service delivery and resource management.

Good governance plays a crucial role in facilitating collective action, holding the parties involved accountable and addressing intricate trade-offs that arise between the  SDGs in DRC. Target 16.6 can serve as an enabler to achieve all SDG-related policies and programmes by ensuring their effective implementation.