DRC Begins Construction of $230M Likasi-Solwezi Road to Boost Trade with Zambia
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially launched construction of the 160-kilometer Likasi-Solwezi road, a major infrastructure project aimed at enhancing trade with neighboring Zambia.
The project, valued at $230 million, was announced on July 8, 2025, by Haut-Katanga Governor Jacques Kyabula during a visit to Likasi, the province’s second-largest city. Construction is expected to be completed within three years.
According to Okapi Global Engineering Consultations LLC, the project includes the development of three toll stations and a dry port in Kikoyo Mwabesa with a capacity to accommodate up to 1,000 vehicles.
Preliminary work has already begun, with significant progress reported in areas such as the Panda bridge near the entrance to Likasi.
Radio Okapi noted that a large fleet of heavy machinery — including dump trucks, graders, water tankers, and compactors — is active on-site in preparation for paving.
The roadwork is being executed by Vaste Réseau des Services au Congo (VRSC), a company specializing in civil engineering and logistics services for the mining sector.
While details about the selection process for VRSC have not been disclosed, the firm is known for its involvement in infrastructure projects across the DRC.
This long-awaited road is set to play a strategic role in regional trade, especially by alleviating traffic congestion along the heavily traveled Likasi-Lubumbashi-Kasumbalesa corridor, a critical route for mining exports and imports.
In parallel with this effort, other cross-border infrastructure projects are also in progress — notably the Kolwezi-Solwezi road corridor, which spans approximately 165 kilometers.
This initiative aims to directly connect mining regions in the DRC and Zambia, reduce traffic pressure on existing roads, and deepen economic integration between the two countries.
Together, these infrastructure projects are expected to streamline trade logistics, enhance regional connectivity, and support economic growth across southern Africa’s mining belt.
