In March 2024, the Congolese government took a major step in its infrastructure modernization policy by unlocking 600 million USD under Amendment No. 5 to the Sicomines agreement. This funding is part of a long-term strategy aimed at rehabilitating 5,000 km of roads across the national territory.
Targeted Provinces and Key Projects
This vast investment program benefits several strategic provinces:
Kinshasa: Rehabilitation of Nzolana Road and development of the peripheral ring roads – $395 million.
Kongo Central: Works on National Road 12 between Lukula, Tshela, and Mbanza-Ngungu – $47 million.
Kasaï Oriental & Lualaba: Construction of the Kalamba Mbuji Road – $180 million.
Kasaï Oriental – Lomami – Lualaba: Rehabilitation of the Mbuji-Mayi – Mwene-Ditu – Kolwezi road – $100 million.
This significant funding is generated by mining revenues from the joint venture between the DRC (via Gécamines) and the Chinese consortium Sicomines.
A Strengthened Monitoring System
In response to concerns over past overbilling and opaque fund management (such as the controversial cost of Nzolana Road at $10,715 per meter), several institutions have been mobilized to ensure transparency and program effectiveness:
The Coordination Office for the Sino-Congolese Program (BCPSC) oversees general planning.
The Congolese Agency for Major Works (ACGT) supervises technical execution.
The General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) monitors the use of funds.
ITIE-DRC and civil society organizations such as Afrewatch and CNPAV play watchdog roles.
Periodic reports, independent audits, GIS tools, and multi-stakeholder steering committees complete this oversight mechanism.
A National Challenge, Local Expectations
Territorial integration, trade fluidity, reduced transport costs, and local employment: the promises of this program are significant. But for these roads to become genuine channels of socio-economic transformation, the DRC must ensure sustainable maintenance, local inclusion, and alignment with national development priorities.
The road ahead is long, but the foundations are finally in place.
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