Assessing the Demand for Goods and Services (Financial and Non-Financial) Among Refugees and IDPs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This briefing note, based on a 2018 research study by Digital Disruptions for FSD Africa and ELAN RDC, examines the demand for financial and non-financial goods and services among refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The study focuses on three locations to provide a baseline for financial service providers (FSPs) and businesses to engage with these populations.

• The Great Lakes region contains a significant population of displaced persons, totaling approximately 5 million individuals, consisting of 4.5 million IDPs and 0.5 million refugees. This group represents a potential market for goods and services that is currently "largely overlooked by businesses and service providers."
• IDPs in the DRC possess substantial aggregate spending power. It is estimated that 2.15 million displaced adults would spend over $1 billion annually on various household expenses.
• There is a widespread lack of access to formal financial products among both refugees and IDPs, despite a nearly universal need for short-term loans to manage emergencies or start businesses. Most current small loans are informal, sourced from family and friends.
• Mobile phone penetration is high among refugees and IDPs, with 75% owning or having access to devices. In two of the three surveyed locations, mobile money agents are located nearby.
• Income sources differ by population and region. Cash and voucher assistance are the primary income sources for many, averaging $53 to $60 per month, while over half of the population earns additional income ($25 to $73) through salaried work, odd jobs, or fishing.

APA

FSD Africa (2020). Assessing the Demand for Goods and Services (Financial and Non-Financial) Among Refugees and IDPs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Demand-for-goods-and-services-for-refugess-summary-17.06.20.pdf

Chicago

FSD Africa. Assessing the Demand for Goods and Services (Financial and Non-Financial) Among Refugees and IDPs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 2020. https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Demand-for-goods-and-services-for-refugess-summary-17.06.20.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=FSD Africa |title=Assessing the Demand for Goods and Services (Financial and Non-Financial) Among Refugees and IDPs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo |date=May 2020 |url=https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Demand-for-goods-and-services-for-refugess-summary-17.06.20.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{fsdafrica2020assessing, author = {{FSD Africa}}, title = {{Assessing the Demand for Goods and Services (Financial and Non-Financial) Among Refugees and IDPs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo}}, institution = {FSD Africa}, year = {2020}, month = may, url = {https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Demand-for-goods-and-services-for-refugess-summary-17.06.20.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }