The African Development Bank Group has approved a $159.5 million USD loan to the Democratic Republic of Congo to expand freight links serving the Ngandajika Agro-Industrial Park.
This move is expected to significantly cut logistics costs and strengthen regional trade corridors.
Part of a $177.16 million USD co-financed program with the Congolese government, the investment will upgrade the Nkuadi–Ngandajika–PAIN and Lukalaba–Ngandajika roads and improve connections between National Roads 1 and 2. The project also includes extending the Mbuji-Mayi airport runway to support growing agro-industrial airfreight volumes.
Bank officials said the works will enhance the park’s integration into DRC’s central economic corridors, improving market access for farmers, transport operators and processing industries across Lomami province and neighbouring regions.
“This project is a major milestone for Central Africa’s economic integration and for advancing agricultural industrialisation in the DRC,” said Léandre Bassolé, the Bank’s Director General for Central Africa.
“We are strengthening a critical value chain, opening new trade corridors, and creating powerful opportunities for competitiveness, jobs and economic inclusion.”
The initiative aligns with the Bank Group’s Agricultural Transformation Programme and supports the development of the Ngandajika Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone. It also contributes to AfCFTA objectives by boosting cross-regional connectivity.
According to project task manager Johnny Makwela, the improved road links and upgraded air access will significantly reduce logistics costs and accelerate the integration of producers into agro-industrial value chains.
In other news, the IRU and the EU recently discussed transport priorities.
