This initiative will benefit over 19 million people by facilitating access to markets, improving the availability of agricultural products and food security, and supporting mobility and economic activities
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, May 30, 2025/APO Group/ --
Roads in Kenge, Kikwit, Tshikapa, Kamuensha, and Mbuji-Mayi have been completely rehabilitated, new stretches of road built, and urban roads modernized. Numerous examples of socioeconomic infrastructure have also benefited from the financial support of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org), helping to transform the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of Congolese.
The Mayi Nunene health centre was built as part of the project to strengthen socioeconomic infrastructure in central DRC
View of the RN1 section at Batshamba
A multi-sectoral mission from the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the African Development Bank witnessed the impact of these investments during field visits to the five municipalities in western DRC between 5 and 19 May 2025. More specifically, the three projects, financed by the Bank, focus on rehabilitating road infrastructure, enhancing air safety, and improving access to basic social services.
Health centres, hydraulic structures equipped with modern technology, provincial rural markets, schools, a refurbished runway in Mbuji-Mayi, and air safety equipment meeting international standards are just some of the successes the joint mission was able to witness.
"The mission measured the concrete impact of the projects supported by the Bank in Kasai. From roads to social infrastructure and air safety, progress is visible and is transforming the lives of the population. We pay tribute to the work completed and remain committed to consolidating the gains achieved, in particular with the extension of the Mbuji-Mayi runway to make it a hub that meets international standards," commented Mohamed Coulibaly, Country Programme Manager in charge of the Bank Group's Office in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Opening a key route in the road network
The first stage of the mission concerned the project to rehabilitate the Kinshasa/Ndjili-Batshamba section of national road no. 1. The project involves the rehabilitation of 622 kilometres of road between Kinshasa and Batshamba via Kenge and Kikwit, a key route in the Congolese road network. In the past, this strategic corridor was virtually impassable due to the advanced deterioration of the road surface and a series of sinkholes, and took several days or in some cases weeks, to drive along. Thanks to $68.57 million in funding from the African Development Bank, the work carried out now means the route can be travelled safely in less than a day. This improves connectivity between the capital and the provinces of Mai-Ndombe, Kwango, Kwilu and Kasaï.
"In addition to asphalting the road, the Bank has financed the construction and equipping of schools, health centres, boreholes, rural markets, social reintegration centres, administrative buildings, a modern market and weigh stations along the route, as well as the rehabilitation of over 700 kilometres of rural roads," explains Jean Luemba, the RN1 project coordinator. The Bank has also provided substantial logistical support (vehicles and IT equipment) to the state structures involved in the projects.
Ultimately, this initiative will benefit over 19 million people by facilitating access to markets, improving the availability of agricultural products and food security, and supporting mobility and economic activities.
Significant progress in social infrastructure
In terms of social infrastructure, the achievements of the second phase of the Project for the Reinforcement of Socioeconomic Infrastructure in the Central Region (PRISE II) are significant: most of the construction work on schools, health centres, public latrines, and rural markets has been completed or is nearing completion. The execution rate is estimated at 75%. As for the 41 schools under construction, most are ready for handover. The same applies to the 40 health centres, whose buildings have been completed. Public markets are also making good progress, with several structures already operational.
In addition, the project has planned community awareness-raising and vocational training activities, including training young people in plumbing, promoting hygiene and local water governance. During the joint mission, the national authorities reiterated their willingness to broaden the scope of the "PRISE" project by integrating geophysical studies into the Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Programme, thus supporting the national ambition of universal coverage in this area. The project's aim is to reach over 870,000 direct beneficiaries in 10 provinces, by improving access rates to water, sanitation, health and education.
Advanced airport infrastructure
In the air transport sector, a visit to the second phase of the Priority Air Safety Project (PPSA2) revealed remarkable progress in the rehabilitation and extension of the Mbuji-Mayi runway. Around 85% of the 320-metre runway has already been completed. The new tarmac is 95% complete, while the ramp, service road and runway end safety areas (RESA) are 70 to 75% complete. Vital technical infrastructure such as the control tower, power plant, fire station, and lighting system are nearing completion. At Kisangani-Bangoka international airport, the aircraft movement areas, taxiways and tarmac have been completely rehabilitated, and two turn pads have been installed.
In addition, six radio navigation systems (DVOR/DME) have been deployed at Goma, Mbuji-Mayi, Kindu, Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Mbandaka, enhancing the safety of domestic flights. Eight VHF radio channels have also been installed at several secondary airports to improve aeronautical communication. The upgrading of equipment, combined with capacity-building for technical staff, has reduced the number of air accidents in the DRC from an average of 10 to one a year.
The project also includes training for the Régie des voies aériennes staff in the following areas: safety and air bases, maintenance techniques and project management for the Régie, and air transport inspectors for the Civil Aviation Authority.
At the end of the visit, the mission underlined the technical quality of the work carried out, the commitment of the contractors and local ownership. In Tshikapa, a local resident declared: "Tshikapa today is the African Development Bank!", testifying to the visibility and tangible impact of the projects on the daily lives of the local population.
These results also illustrate the importance of close coordination between the Bank, the Congolese government and technical and financial partners, including the European Union and the World Bank, which were also involved in the construction of certain sections of the RN1.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
What is going on at the Central Bank? The previous head was part of the corruption, she is talking about corruption. We really need to investigate thoroughly why this president's administration is so adept at being inept. Maybe the critics are right (to the consternation of supporters like me) that Hawiye can't govern.
Haye, hawiye iyo daarood maa bilowday? Sidee la idin yeelaa dhiiggiina ayaa qabyaaladda ku shaqeeya!
Mr/Miss Djibouti French boot camp you use to support MOYAAN Camp what happen, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkk. go back to where you belong to ( FRENCH BOOT CAMP ).
The world community can now see the true colors of the so called Somalia republic. Why in the world these so called world communities think that Somaliland people should live under the rules of a failed state that doesn't know what government is?
Somaliland has made its final decision, never again will Somaliland be part of a failed state called Somalia.
This decision was reached by 97% of its people, the world community can take it or leave it.
Speaking of corruption, Somaliland is the champ. Look at Hargeisa airport and genel proceeds loot of about 97% corruption overhead before 3% of actual work.
Show us , where it is written anywhere, any internet even those website who were known to by against Somaliland that, state Somaliland central bank governor resign due to corruption or the previous governor run away after stealing millions of dollar.
Your quote is nothing but quotes from those who were well know anti-Somaliland thugs like you.
Long live Somaliland and its people and government forever!
AMIN !
More African Troops!
The next Central Bank Governor should be from Congo perhaps?
Bla bla bla, you people must be really thick with those automated responses whenever the tiniest bit of negative news from South Somalia is reported. It's alright, if it is any consolation, it's the exact responses I or anybody else for the matter probably expected from you. "The world can now see the true colors of Somalia", what does that even mean? It's Africa, corruption exists…I don't even want to start with Somaliland. Some of you commentators are vile and really filled with loathing you would probably state that God was punishing the "stupid southerners" if a Tsunami was to hit South Somalia. Nimanyahow sidan isku dhaama. Grow up and stop being so hateful. Admin, please don't delete this comment.
Whether it is south region of somalia, puntland or somaliland, the fact that somalis are very corrupt individuals unfortunately. The reason goes back to the nature of the society structure within the somali people, there is nothing called equality, there is nothing called justice that is based on the country's constitution, it's all through tribalism, nepotism, corruption and embezzlements. So no wonder why you see someone who respects their principles, and respect the law, to be severely disliked and driven away by any means. Now, for those who are trying to make a comparason between the government in the south and somaliland, you are just making fool of yourselves. There is no a comparason between a recognised, fully supported system by the west and asia and somaliland that is only run by the isaaq community from sheffield.
Faqash ilyas somali live also in Djibouti and Kil5 and NFD. Somaliland is not Zoomalia the day u see Blue flag in Hargeisa that mean none Somalilander is still living there. We will gain our re independence as Eritrea gain from Ethiopia.
She should take her share of this loot , and bring to Boorama. Because house her father build in Mogadishu is destroyed by Siad Barre's canoons.
She was foolish because , why she protect a money stealed by the people who own that country, its president, prim minister and war lords. She is foreing from Somaliland.
why don't she steal with them if they want so? And take her share to her homeland Borama, Somalilandd
Siyads money is blood money, only way to deal with such money is to do something positive with it. give it to fund free healthcare for the poor and feed the hungry maybe then the curse on Somalia proper will be lifted. Looting it aint gonna solve sh yt
she is hero person.
we are somali people never forger her decide.