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).
who should be recognised reer hebel that won't happen mister just get used to it onething for complement is that you have tried to become a nation under the banner of tribal system but didn't work . Goo back to your Somali people with love and care
What a mindless person you are,who in their senses would go back to those who once murdered and pillaged them? people like you are driven by ignorance and greed and good riddance to the likes of you.LONG LIVE SOMALILAND where intelligence and tolerance is the norm.
some people,like the above poster are so bereft of understanding,let me ask you a simple question:would you go back to a people who once slaughtered and pillaged your people? apparently you with your mind set would given enough money but the people of somaliland are not selling themselves as your kind would.LONG LIVE SOMALILAND.
You boy, I hate such foolish words comes from your inner stomach. You committed an act of genocide in Somaliland people. Over one million people were displaced , more than 800,000 were made refugees in east Ethiopian camps, were hunger, cold and child labor was the order of the day. And also more than 200,000 have been killed, and more have been maimed or injured.
We will not forget the time we were frightened to walk down our own streets for fear of being murdered, robbery and rape. We have seen pictures of our educated people slaughtered, our fathers having been beaten up, and our sisters having been raped by you.
“Somaliland’s independence is irrevocable and its people will fight for their rights and freedom what ever it costs”
Farhan A. Suleiman (Oday)
Hargeisa, Somaliland
Farhan A.Suleiman i agree with you 100% SOMALILAND IS HERE TO STAY COME WHAT MAY LONG LIVE SOMALILAND AND DOWN WITH ITS ENVIOUS HATERS!!!.
Haloo Guys !!!!
Wax baad illowdeen,
Ma idiin sheega, horta haa yiraada.
Kenya, weligeed dad aya laha.
Daniel Arap Moi Iyo OObootihi Uganda ,
Labada ba skuul anaa Skuul kooda ka bixiyey.
Hadey xuumatoo, Hablo Soomaali kuu sheganaya
MA iyo wexeysheegtaan ba, hortaada la kufsanaya
Soomali , Soomali aya ceebys.
Long live Somaliand !!!!!!!!!!
@Kenya, Ilaahay waxaad galabsateen buu idinka goynayaa. Because adoo kale oo qabyaalad dabada ku wata ayaa idinku badan. Qabyaalad annaku ma naqaanno, kumana adeeganno. Somalilander is a Somalilander to us. Cidda dawladdii qabiil ku burburiyey ee weli dagaal iyo hanjebaad looga fadhiyi waa idinka. goor ayse noqotaba waydin eedi, edeb-darra iyo afka dheer aad Somaliland ku aflagaadaynaysaan. Haddi daandaansiga la dayn waayo, wax aydaan ka soo kabmi karrin ayaa ka dambayne maydin joogi. Ninkii baxaya, indhaha ayaa casaadee! Mar labaad haddii ay Somaliland qoriga qaado, waxaad ogaataan inaannaan dhigi doonin. Ilaahayo, mar la ciil dirirayo itus!
We were a nation and we are a nation now and we are going to stay a nation forever. And nothing you (Somaliland diid) have to say will change anything. So, waxba hays xiiginin.
the somalis are the main course of their treatment by the kenyans,they have destroyed their country by murdering each other by the thousands and then flee across the border to kenya is it a wonder that the kenyans see them as less than human? by writting these words am just pointing out the truth on the ground but far from agreeing with how the kenyans are treating somalis.
When My spouse and i originally alleged I visited the Discern me when new notes are extra checkbox and today all calculate a observe is further We get a number of e-mails with the same analysis. Is near a few mode you can with no trouble take out men and women from that service? Bless anyone!