WASHINGTON, June 26, 2024 - The World Bank today approved two operations: $95 million for Transforming the Education Sector for Better Outcomes and Results (TRESOR) co-financed with the Global Partnership for Education and $100 million for Strengthening Electricity Services (PASEL). This combined package of $195 million supports the implementation of the Republic of Congo’s education sector strategy (2025-2030) that aims at improving its human capital. It will also improve the quality-of-service delivery and provide greater access to electricity to boost the economy and improve the quality of life of the people of the Republic of Congo.
“Access to quality basic education and electricity is critical to ensure that the people of Congo live a healthy and peaceful life”, says Cheick Fantamady Kante, World Bank Country Director for Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. “This financing package reinforces the World Bank strong partnership with the Republic of Congo and our support towards educating and building a competent workforce and powering the economy through greater electricity.”
The TRESOR program intends to improve equitable access to quality pre-primary and primary schools, enhance foundational reading and math, and strengthen education management systems. It targets vulnerable children (refugees and host population, internal displaced, indigenous, etc.) in areas with the greatest needs and the lowest primary school completion rate in the departments of Plateaux, Lekoumou, Kouilou, and Cuvette-Ouest.
PASEL is focused on improving the quality and access of electricity services and strengthen the performance of the transmission and distribution networks. It will also support the reduction of losses and increase of revenue collection by providing smart meters and management information systems that will be used by an incoming operations concessionaire that the Government is recruiting. PASEL is expected to benefit some 1.75 million people with an improved electricity access.
“The Republic of Congo is embarking on ambitious reforms to strengthen the electricity sector and improve access to power for its citizens,” explains Louise Pierrette Mvono, World Bank Resident Representative for the Republic of Congo. “The momentum for reform provides a window of opportunity to bridge the energy access gap and reach universal access to electricity in urban areas and improved access in rural areas with greater participation from the private sector.”
