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).
Now this is what I call diplomacy, we need to be on the offensive not defense.
Somaliland government should make regular contacts with other governments, especially neighbouring countries, and present our case to the fullest.
It is the neighbours which other governments will ask for opinions regarding Somaliland. We should put more strength in the diplomatic front. This trip to Kenya is good.
Kenya is an important nation but it's concern about Ethiopia's growth in particular in the agriculture sector and we already alley with Ethiopia. Kenya is playing hidden war game against Ethiopia. Ethiopia has taken over Kenya as the largest economy in the Horn of Africa, it's the leading coffee producer and also plans to take the tea from Kenya and it's not far from that so this is worrying Kenya even though it's acting cool its not relaxed at all.
Most of those aid agencies based in Nairobi will in the future move to Addis Ababa if Ethiopia continues to grow at the pace it is now. It is the 4th fastest growing economy in Africa at 9.8% after Angola (16.30%), Sudan (12.80%) and Equaterial Guinea (12.70% – dubbed 'The African Kuwait').
This one of the fastest growing nations on earth today remember the fastest growing economy in the world is Qatar (
Part 1
All the other countries Kayse has mentioned have access to sea and have achieved their remarkable growth rate thanks to their oil production. On the other hand Ethiopia has no sea and no oil is found in its territory so far!! Therefore, their achievement is much more impressive. The way things are going in the Horn of Africa, I have the feeling that Somalis will one day be at the mercy of the Ethiopians. They have a huge and growing population coupled with strong economic growth and a modernisation of its military with the help of powers like the US and Israel.
Part 2
With their population close to 100 million they will need a lot more land than they currently have and hence predictably the Ethiopian government will encourage the occupation of the Ogaden region and the displacement of the Somali people from their land. They will also control and manipulate every other Somali region as their interest dictates. The Somalis might even become like the Palestinians are today – squeezed, surrounded, exploited, and oppressed. As a Somaliland citizen, it pains me to see the lack of foresight of my follow Somalis. I wished that the Somalis in the South, Puntland, and Ogaden knew better and looked after their national interest and the future of their people instead of being their own worst enemy.
don`t worry somali strategic interest have been covered years ago, the siyaad barre goverment was not stupid, and he didn`t hand idiot somalis the faith of somalias strategic long term intrest
we joined the arab leaguge to counter ethiopias influence in AU
somalis have secret agreements with kenya since the 80`s to contain ethiopia
we have secret agreements with china, united state ever since the reagan administration(why did you think america never excepted somaliland or aididUNOSOM II)
americas somali office is based in kenya and ethiopia or djoubuty why its because the former policy makers of somalia are in kenya
Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger…fagash
ronald reagan fagash
george hw bush big big fagash
bill clinton corned fagash but commited and loyal to former agreements
george w bush unknown but his advisers where fagash policy makers of the 80`s
obama unknown potencialy a enemy of fagash but we hope Zbigniew Brzezinski guides the young president and educates him about the past since he himself was educated and shown his policies of the 70s where experimental and that they failed
gen Brent Scowcroft has guided Zbigniew Brzezinski back to fagash policies
the future looks brights wale
ethiopia is not enemy of the south, ethiopia wants acces to the red sea to counter eritrea and arabs, and I support their quest a nation of 70 million can not be landlocked, I propose land for land deal, hargeisa is 30 minuts to the ethiopian border:pB)
Abraham you mean the sub humans who kill eachother over a cigarrete in Somalia
Elmi,
It is ironic that your name and words are complete opposite.
I wear that with a badge of honor knowing it came from a fakash.
Abraham… Somalia is Finished! and it's been finished for a long time now.
It's time for the world to recognize somaliland.
And we isaqs should stop calling ourselves somalis! and have nothing to do with thoses backward handicapped self hating fools!
Walahi the somali name has been killed by darood and hawiye, so we isaqs should change our countries name to the republic of Isaq and STOP CALLING OURSELVES SOMALIS.
We shouldn't care about what gadabursa or dhulbahante think, it was us isaqs that created somaliland with no outside help, and it's us isaqs that have been defending it.
So we should change our countries name and have nothing to do with somalis!
Amen changes, I wish we had more people who think like you. Everytime we utter the words "I'm Somali" our recognition takes a step backwards and we are thought of as people who are waiting for the mess in Mogadisho to clear so we can work out a deal and be Somalis again. Lets all hold hands with the killers who butchered our children and women and sing kumbaya. This week the idiots who run our government opposed a plan to reach out to the government of Israel they are the same ones who call walaweeyns our brothers, so tell me how do we expect any country to take us seriously when our name and our leaders are pro Somalia?
Abraham(?… unusual spelling for a Somali person) has raised some intersting and valid points. I have long pondered what the future holds for somali people in the context of this information. Today what is there to stop Ethiopia from encroaching its borders (further) into Somalia & Somaliland. Somalis, do not have a government or army to take charge, speak for and protect its people and are therfore very vunreable. In a similar way gaza's government (Hamas) is de-ligitimised.
As well as government and military action, Ethiopians openly live in Somalia & Somaliland in significant numbers, moreover in Somaliland in growing numbers. Ethiopia has shown that it will not allow a government is does not approve of to be established in Somalia, we have all wittnessed its military intervention. So the question for Somalilanders is how can it protect its citicens in both the short and long term. We are all aware of the abbhorrent way in which Somalis in Ogaden are treated, how palastinians are treated in Palastine/Israhell; is this what is coming for somali people. At least now they live in their own chaos. Somalilanders may be poor, but at least they have some freedom.
"squeezed, surrounded, exploited, and oppressed", Somalis already are. Talking about it is not good enough. It is up to us, up to you, to change this.
“We must be the change we wish to see in the world”.
Correction of spelling error: Israel.
@Elmi &Changes
It's beacause of people like the two of you Somalia is where it is! The faqash who burned down our cities had the exact same mentality! You need to stop this qabiil-bullshit! You're talking as if we Isaaqs are any different than our fellow somalis – you should know that qabiil does not stop at ISAAQ. Just look at the city of Burco – strictly divided between two of our subclans.
They say the present is always pregnant with the future – and if we dont change the way things are headed, it's only a matter of time before we end up in the same situation as our brothers and sisters in the south!
@Elmi &Changes
It's beacause of people like you Somalia is where it is today! You need to stop this Qabiil-B¤LL-Sh%&T! Nothing you do or say we'll ever change the fact that you are and will remain a SOMALI. Somaliland prides itself on being rid of qabiil – and sick, resentful people like yourselves keep undermining our efforts!
Israel?!!! There is a somali proverb that goes: Baahi baa ku haysa bakhtiga looma cuno!!
Sing KUMBAYA? What do you think we are Mr. Elmi. Some depressed house negros is 1800s? Get real men. We are Somalis. Full blooded ethnic Somalis. As there are Arabs and Slovaks in the world, there are Somalis as well.
It is true that we live in different regions like Somalia, North Eastern in Kenya, Ogadenia in Ethiopia, Somaliland and in the diaspora. But we are still Somalis.
The tribes and dialects just make us more unique. Otherwise we are all from the same pot. There is no tribe which is better than the other (as if that hasn't been proven so far!)
Call whatever you want to call yourself. Carry whatever document you want, but you are and will ever be a Somali.
Like Dr. MLK, I say: I have a dream. I have a dream that one day all the people of the Somali will come together and live in peace. Live in peace and harmony with itself and others. Live with respect with itself and its neighbours. Live without the Qaabil poison. Live whereby Somalis will be asking each other: Are you Habar Magal or Habar Miyi, and not otherwise.
PEACE.
To hassan.
We do not allow people to tell us what we are, we decide what we are.
And we can stop calling ourselves somalis if we choose to.
This country somalia was only created in 1960. Before that there was no country called somalia or people called somalis.
We used to call eachother by our qabil names. Now i think we should go back to that, but instead of it been qabil it should be national.
For example.
Somaliland should be called the repupliic of Isaq
and the people should be called isaqis.
Let this name somali burn! because it's a shame to be called a somali because of the shameful things darood and hawiyes are doing!
Walahi us Isaqs should stop calling ourselves somalis! it's a shame to be somali now because of darood and hawiye.
One must be a fool to bilieve "changes" is an I saaq person, He/She is definately from the deep south one of the giveaway was he reffered to Gadhabursi asq Ghadhabursa. This is like Isiayas Afewerki rooting for Meles zenawi to win a Nobel Peace Price.
As for Elmi, If you are the Elmi of your family, I would hate to meet your siblings that have less Elmi.
Long Live Somaliland…… We will overcome both Foreign and Domestic enemies.
I'm pure Isaq,Habryounis clan and Ali sied family. Both my parents are habryounis and Ali Sied infact.
If i was from the south would i have said those things i said about darood and hawiyes?
long live all the real Isaqsand may the word "somali" dissapear from the face of this earth!
Calm down dear!! this thread had descended into character assassinations. The first principle of any debate is to avoid insults and personal attacks and instead focus on the issues at hand.
Changing our name or title is as useless as adopting another language. You may speak as much Mandarin as a Hun Chinese person, but you will still be an ethnic Somali. The World outside of our borders does not distinguish between an Isaq man and a Hawiye or Darood. We are just another punch of uncivilised people in need of peace and aid. This sounds awful, but it is the reality. As an ethnic group, what we need is not name changes or name calling or not even more of the tested and tried useless clan reconciliations, but individual self reform and education. We need to stop being clan hooligans and use our clan identities just for the sake of socialising and helping each other. We need to see ourselves as a group of people with out any form of tangible security in a World where increasingly only the fittest can survive. We need to look beyond the tribal affiliations and see that half of our country is occupied by a rival nation whose ambition is to suppress Somalis regardless of their clans and displace them from their homes.
This is already happening. Harar is no longer Somali, Diridhabe (the once proud home of the Dir tribe) is officially taken off the Somali map, and Jigjiga is fast losing its Somali identity too. Did you realise that the ‘republic of Isaq’ and ‘Isaqis’ (as funny as the names sound) will do nothing more than remind the World of the hell hole that is already Iraq.
Well Saudi Arabia is named after Al-Saud tribe. Whats wrong with naming the country after the majority of its citizens and the sole clan who spell blood and wealth to free it from tyranny?
may Somalia burn in hell, may isaqland prosper in pace,may my prayer be answered.