In June 2026, a new micro-project supported by AMU began to promote sustainable entrepreneurship in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Through targeted training programs in the Mugunga Lac Vert neighborhood, women and young people are preparing to become agents of change.
The context: where change germinates
Goma, located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and nestled on the northern shores of Lake Kivu, is a city marked by a complex socioeconomic reality and ongoing humanitarian challenges. It is precisely in this context of great vulnerability, and
more precisely in the peripheral neighborhood of Mugunga Lac Vert , where AMU has chosen to launch a new project.
The primary objective is structural: to provide local women and youth with the technical and managerial tools needed to start small, self-employed businesses.
Developing sustainable entrepreneurship models in Goma means planting a seed of resilience capable of generating long-term value for the entire surrounding community.
The educational offering: digital and artisanal skills
The training program to support sustainable entrepreneurship in Goma is structured around two courses geared toward local market demands: an IT course and a tailoring and sewing course.
The project launch in numbers:
-
Initial selection: a high number of applications kept the staff busy with the admission tests.
-
Sewing workshop: approximately 70 participants passed the selection test.
-
Computer lab: 18 students accessed the course.
Resilience on the field: Evolution in week four
The initial total number of participants exceeded the project’s original planned numbers. This management decision was implemented by the staff to mitigate the risk of dropouts, a unfortunately common occurrence in complex environments where daily family needs and unexpected events can undermine educational continuity. 
Today, in its fourth week of operation, the project is facing its first real logistical challenges. Approximately five people enrolled in sewing classes have had to withdraw due to force majeure, most notably the severe lack of efficient and accessible transportation to safely reach the training center.
Despite the physical obstacles of the surrounding environment, the training is proceeding with great satisfaction. Among the desks and sewing machines, a strong desire to learn pervades: for each participant, this is a concrete opportunity to create a sustainable form of entrepreneurship in Goma , one that can reshape the future.
Glimpses of the future
During this first month of workshops, the students have demonstrated great determination. Maintaining consistent attendance is not easy for them. But their tenacity demonstrates the importance of investing in the local human resources. AMU and local partners will continue to monitor the situation, supporting the remaining students in this training program, a first real step toward realizing their microbusiness ideas.