WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Agency for International Development Administrator Rajiv Shah will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from December 14-19.

On December 16, Administrator Shah will visit Inga Dam and discuss energy and development projects with government officials, multilateral development bank representatives, and the private sector partners. That evening, Administrator Shah will hold a bilateral meeting with DRC Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo.

On December 17, Administrator Shah will travel to Bukavu in eastern DRC to meet with organizations that support people in conflict-affected areas.  While there, he will visit the Banro mine site to discuss effective development strategies for the South Kivu region.  Administrator Shah will then meet with former child soldiers at a UNICEF reintegration center.

On December 18, Administrator Shah will meet with officials from Federation of Central Procurement in Essential Medicines to discuss how to improve the procurement and quality-assurance of essential medicines. He will also meet with government officials, private sector partners, NGOs, and local media to discuss development opportunities and challenges in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.