Lubumbashi, April 2025 — As the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) strengthens its role in the global critical minerals supply chain, the development of its strategic infrastructure has become a national priority.
At ExpoBéton 2025, the Honorable Bamanisa delivered a clear message: the construction and interconnection of logistical corridors — particularly the Lobito Corridor — and the deep-water Banana Port project must be at the forefront of efforts to sustainably transform the Congolese economy.
Corridors at the Heart of Regional Competitiveness
The Lobito Corridor, linking the mining provinces of Grand Katanga and Grand Kasai to the Atlantic Ocean via Angola, is not an isolated export project. « Lobito will not be an end in itself, » warned the Honorable Bamanisa. It must become the backbone of an extensive internal network, connecting mining, agricultural, and urban sites across the south and central regions of the country.
Without transversal infrastructure — railways, roads, logistics hubs — the DRC risks building an empty shell. That is why ExpoBéton emphasizes the urgent need to extend rail links, modernize rural roads, and plan urban development around strategic corridors. Every ton of copper, cobalt, or agricultural products extracted inland must reach international markets efficiently.
Banana, the Gateway to the Future
Initiated by President Félix Tshisekedi, the Banana Port symbolizes the DRC’s ambition to join the ranks of Africa’s major ports. But as the Honorable Bamanisa points out, a port only thrives on the flows it generates.
« What will Banana be without the millions of tons of minerals from Katanga? » he asks.
Thus, the port’s success must be accompanied by comprehensive logistical integration with the interior provinces — not only via Banana but also through Lobito, Matadi, and future corridors.
A Long-Term Planning Challenge
The vision defended at ExpoBéton calls for a break from isolated or improvised projects. The Honorable Bamanisa advocates for interprovincial planning over the medium and long term, integrating mining operations, agricultural development, urbanization, and industrial hubs.
« Every new corridor is an opportunity to build modern cities, to structure local industrialization, and to integrate our youth and SMEs into the regional value chain, » he emphasizes.
The challenge is enormous, but the opportunity is historic: to establish the DRC as the logistical and industrial heart of Central and Southern Africa.
