A critical review of the interim poverty reduction strategy paper in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

This paper presents a critical review of the Democratic Republic of Congo's Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (I-PRSP) and related policy documents. By its very definition, the (I-PRSP) is a road map to a full Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). It is intended to give a rather broad expression of the country's commitment to undertake the full PRSP process. As a consequence, the I-PRSP will be short on many of the detailed analyses and underpinnings of the full PRSP (macroeconomic modelling, costing, financing strategy, coordination and so on). These will have to be addressed in the full PRSP to be launched soon. This review has two broad objectives: To learn about the participatory process leading to the I-PRSP and to articulate the DRC vision on the poverty reduction strategy. In particular, the second objective will critically review issues pertaining to the macroeconomic framework, sectoral strategies and other important concerns relating to poverty.