DRC Seeks International Partners to Build Train, Locomotive, and Wagon Assembly Plant
The Ministry of Transport, Communication Routes, and Accessibility has launched an international call for expressions of interest for the construction of a national assembly plant for trains, locomotives, and wagons.
According to the official document signed by Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Transport, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, the project aims to identify technical, industrial, and financial partners for the design, financing, construction, equipment, operation, and maintenance of the facility. Two potential sites have been proposed: Matadi (Kongo Central) and Kalemie (Tanganyika).
The initiative forms part of the national strategy to revive and modernize the railway sector, with goals that include reducing reliance on imports, revitalizing local production, creating skilled jobs, and promoting technology transfer.
Public-Private Partnership Model
The project will be executed as a public-private partnership (PPP), structured either as a joint venture or a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, over a period of 25 to 30 years.
The partnership will involve the Congolese State, investors, and companies specialized in railway construction and management.
Entities eligible to participate include railway manufacturers, engineering firms, construction companies, institutional investors, and training centers.
Applications must be submitted by December 5, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. (Kinshasa time). Site visits to Matadi and Kalemie are scheduled before November 25, 2025.
Evaluation criteria will focus on industrial experience, technical expertise, technology transfer capabilities, financial capacity, and proposed governance models. French will be the working language, and the US dollar (USD) will serve as the reference currency.
Railway Modernization and Regional Connectivity
The DRC currently has a railway network of approximately 5,000 kilometers, primarily operated by the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Congo (SNCC) and the Société Commerciale des Transports et des Ports (SCTP).
Much of the network, built during the colonial era, links the southeastern mining provinces to the port of Matadi, via Kamina and Ilebo. However, over half of the lines are now non-operational due to lack of maintenance and outdated equipment.
The government’s plan aims to modernize existing infrastructure and revive local rolling stock production, strengthening connections between key economic hubs and improving regional links with Zambia, Angola, and Tanzania.
