Beyond being a simple vital necessity, access to drinking water is the foundation upon which every human development project rests. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the challenge of sanitation remains a national priority, Rawbank has chosen to place hydraulic infrastructure at the heart of its social responsibility strategy. Through its vast borehole program, the institution does more than just install water points: it unlocks the economic and social potential of entire regions.
Drinking water, a strategic lever for development
Access to safe water is the starting point for profound transformations. One cannot envision health, education, or human dignity without this fundamental resource. Yet, daily reality highlights a major brake on development: according to unicef, women and young girls spend 200 million hours every day collecting water worldwide.
This time, taken away from productive activities, weighs heavily on the local economy. The lack of drinking water is also a major cause of school absenteeism, particularly among young girls, and the need to source water in remote areas exposes the most vulnerable community members to constant security risks. By bringing water closer to homes, rawbank acts directly on security, health, and equal opportunities.
A concrete and measurable commitment
Faithful to its mission, rawbank has structured a factual and rigorous action since 2021. Indeed, the bank has deployed a major program that is reflected today in eloquent figures: 64 boreholes have already been delivered and are fully operational, while 24 others are being completed. Added to this are 10 projects currently in the technical study phase, confirming a clear trajectory: reaching the symbolic milestone of 100 boreholes by 2026.
This geographical coverage is not accidental. The implementation zones are selected for their strategic impact, aiming to correct disparities in access to basic services. The program thus extends throughout the country, reaching the provinces and localities of Kinshasa, Kindu, Haut Uele, Sud Kivu, Ituri, Bas Uele, Nord Kivu, Maniema, Kongo central, Kwilu, Kasaï central, Mongala, Kasaï oriental, Sud Ubangi, Sankuru, Kasaï, Equateur, Haut Katanga, Lubumbashi, Likasi, Lomami and Tanganyika. Wherever these infrastructures emerge, the observation is the same: an immediate improvement in public hygiene and a drastic reduction in waterborne diseases.
A catalyst for education and the local economy
The impact of boreholes goes far beyond the health framework; it acts as a real engine for social construction. In mikonga, for example, sustainable access to drinking water was the essential trigger for the construction of the local orphanage. This infrastructure could not have seen the light of day without the guarantee of a stable supply, allowing children today to grow up in an environment where the strictest hygiene conditions are finally respected. This project perfectly illustrates how a water point becomes the foundation for new essential reception and health structures for the community. On the economic level, it is the assurance of a more available and healthier workforce, thus creating a virtuous circle of productivity.
Women and young girls: at the heart of social impact
The rawbank program is, in essence, an empowerment project. By guaranteeing water nearby, the bank restores the dignity and security of women and young girls. The reduction in the time spent on chores directly encourages the schooling of children, offering young girls the opportunity to pursue their studies in better conditions. It is a structural transformation of the quality of life that is taking place, strengthening the resilience of congolese families.
Vision and continuity: acting for tomorrow
For rawbank, access to water is not an end in itself, but a starting point. This action is fully part of the “beyond a bank” positioning and under the csr label “acting for tomorrow”.
By investing at the source, rawbank demonstrates that its mission goes beyond financial services to touch the heart of human life. Through these borehole projects, the bank acts to sustainably transform lives and build, with the congolese, a future where prosperity begins with a gesture as simple and essential as opening a tap.
