Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP)
Conceptual Framework
Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) describe a country's macroeconomic, structural, and social policies and programs to promote growth and reduce poverty, as well as associated external financing needs. PRSPs are prepared by governments through a participatory process that involves civil society and development partners, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers provide the basis for World Bank and IMF assistance as well as debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. PRSPs should be country-driven, comprehensive, partnership-oriented, and participatory. A country only needs to write a PRSP every three years; however, changes can be made to the content of a PRSP using an Annual Progress Report.
Interim PRSP for the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2002-2005
After a long period characterized by poor management of the economy, civil war, and other domestic upheaval, the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) resolved to reunite the country. The Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (I-PRSP), submitted in May 2002, attests to the Congolese Government's desire to involve the entire population, along with domestic and foreign partners, in this process of reestablishing peace in a participatory and sustainable way. Although lacking in poverty statistics, the document relied on the sources of information available to define the causes of poverty and, based on this data, to determine the differences in the levels of the main poverty indicators from one period to another and one region to another, as well as between rural and urban areas and between men and women.
Three major strategic pillars are defined in the I-PRSP:
- Restoration of peace and good governance;
- Macroeconomic stabilization and pro-poor growth;
- Measures aimed at promoting community engagement.
The document also outlines specific actions to be taken over a three-year period. The strategy presented includes three phases: (i) stabilization (2001-02); transition and reconstruction (2002-05), aimed at instituting measures and reforms prior to engaging in poverty reduction efforts; and (iii) growth (starting in 2005), when lasting poverty reduction will become possible.
Furthermore, the strategy includes a number of participatory monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in order to measure progress made. In this way, implementation of this interim document helped the DRC achieve the HIPC decision point in July 2003.
Downloads
PRGSP for the Democratic Republic of Congo
Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy Paper (PDF file), July 2006.
Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy Paper (PRGSP I), 2006-2010
The PRGSP was finalized and approved by the Government in July 2006, then submitted to the Bretton Woods institutions. It was submitted to the Executive Boards of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in March and April 2007 respectively, along with the Joint Staff Advisory Note from these two institutions, as soon as the government that came into power after the 2006 elections was established in order to demonstrate its commitment to the national strategy described in the document.
The PRGSP I covered the 2006-2008 period and was then supplemented by a Priority Action Program (PAP 2009-2010) aimed at putting its objectives into action.
The vision on which this PRGSP was based was a clear, shared vision of long-term development (Vision 26/25) for the DRC, which emerged from participatory consultations organized across the country in 2005. This vision is rooted in the idea of a “Society of Hope” that could lift the DRC to the level of human development enjoyed by middle-income countries and converge toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
This is the dream of a country founded on the following cardinal values and fundamental guidelines: (i) a Democratic Republic of Congo at peace with itself, in which the rule of law has been restored; (ii) a calm subregional context that favors economic integration; (iii) declining poverty; (iv) strengthened national unity and territorial integrity; (v) access to basic social services for the population; (vi) a quality education and employment for youth; (vii) a dynamic, diversified, and modernized agricultural sector; (viii) an industrialized, competitive economy fully integrated into the regional and global trade systems; (ix) controlled population growth; and (x) institutions founded on transparent and decentralized management of provinces and resources.
The five pillars upheld, based on Vision 26/25, were the following:
- Strengthen peace and promote good governance;
- Strengthen macroeconomic stability and growth;
- Improve access to social services and reduce vulnerability;
- Combat HIV/AIDS; and
- Support community engagement.
The PRGSP implementation review done in March 2010, which was found to be satisfactory, helped the country achieve the completion point under the HIPC Initiative in June of the same year, with debt forgiveness in the amount of almost US$13 billion.
PRGSP II, 2011-2015
The second PRGSP (PRGSP II) was started following achievement of the HIPC completion point. The Government demonstrated its desire to move from emergency strategies (on which the PRGSP I is based) to a growth and development phase. Pending the preparation of a new long-term strategy based on the assessment of 50 years of existence as an independent State, this strategy is rooted in a vision of a “Society of Hope” that could lift the DRC to the level of human development enjoyed by middle-income countries and converge toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is based on three major guidelines for the country’s development: (i) a country at peace, secure, and having adopted modern, effective practices for managing public affairs; (ii) a diversified, income-generating economy, supported by efficient infrastructure and driven by a dynamic private sector that occupies a position on the African continent commensurate with its growth potential; and (iii) a society governed by the values of solidarity and innovation, offering the population widespread and equitable access to basic services across the country and in which poverty and vulnerability are rapidly on the decline owing to the dual effects of accelerated growth and targeted social programs.
To ensure lasting stability and support strong growth, this strategy, which covers a five-year time frame, is supported by four pillars that each include clear strategic areas and priority actions for their implementation:
- Strengthen governance and peace;
- Diversify the economy, accelerate growth, and promote employment;
- Improve access to basic social services and strengthen human capital; and
- Protect the environment and combat climate change.
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