In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the state-owned maritime company Lignes Maritimes Congolaises (LMC) is preparing to expand its fleet with the acquisition of two new vessels, according to Board Chairman Lambert Mende Omalanga. The announcement was made on May 6 in Matadi following a meeting with Kongo Central Governor Grâce Bilolo. “I came to inform Governor Bilolo that we are in the process of acquiring two vessels to
Category: Central Africa
DRC Revives Maritime Sovereignty with Acquisition of Two Vessels
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is taking a significant step toward rebuilding its maritime capacity, with Lignes Maritimes Congolaises (LMC) set to acquire two vessels. The announcement was made by LMC Board Chairman Lambert Mende during a meeting with Kongo Central Governor Grâce Bilolo on May 5, 2025. “I came to inform the Governor that we are acquiring two floating units to improve operations at our provincial directorate,” Mende
DRC Launches Tender to Revive Key Northeastern Railway Corridor
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has launched an international tender to restore and modernize the Bumba–Aketi–Buta–Mungbere railway, an 870-kilometre line in the northeastern part of the country. The tender was officially announced on May 2, 2025, by the Ministry of Transport in Kinshasa. This narrow-gauge railway (0.60 meters), with rails ranging from 18 to 33 kg/m, was once a backbone of the regional economy, transporting agricultural and
DRC’s Ilebo Port Reopens After Fire Damage and Infrastructure Upgrades
The Port of Ilebo, located in Kasaï Province, has resumed operations following extensive rehabilitation efforts. On April 30, Operations Coordinator Willy Mizumu announced the arrival of the first vessel since the port was shut down, delivering 1,000 tonnes of cement. The port had been out of service since July, when it was severely damaged by a fire. Restoration efforts included the reactivation of the thermal power plant and the installation
Lobito Corridor: A Strategic Leap for African-Led Infrastructure and Regional Trade
The recent signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Zambia and Angola marks a pivotal milestone in the development of the Lobito Corridor—one of Africa’s most ambitious and transformative infrastructure initiatives. Witnessed by the highest levels of both governments, the agreement affirms a joint commitment to develop, finance, construct, and operate an 830-kilometre railway from Luacano in Angola to Chingola in Zambia. For decades, Africa’s capacity to independently envision and
Loano Airport Modernization Project Launched in Lubumbashi
The long-awaited modernization of Loano Airport in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga officially kicked off on April 18, 2025. The project is being executed by Summa Group, a Turkish construction and infrastructure firm. Selim Bora, Chairman and CEO of Summa, presented the project to President Félix Tshisekedi, who laid the symbolic foundation stone to mark the start of construction. While the presidency confirmed the Congolese government had contracted a specialized firm for the
DRC’s Sudden Visa Policy Change Burdens Cross-Border Hauliers
The abrupt termination of the visa-free agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe has imposed significant financial and operational challenges on cross-border hauliers serving Haut-Katanga Province’s mining sector. Over the past two weeks, transport companies were informed that Zimbabwean truck drivers must now obtain work visas to operate legally within the DRC. Implemented without prior notice by the DRC’s Direction Générale de Migration (DGM), the new
DP World Aims for 2026 Completion of DRC’s Banana Deepwater Port
Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa recently met with executives from DP World in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to discuss progress on the Banana deepwater port project, a major infrastructure development underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During the meeting, DP World representatives indicated that the first phase of the project—initially scheduled for completion in 2025—is now expected to be finalized in 2026. Prime Minister Suminwa confirmed that, if
DRC Prime Minister Calls for Acceleration of Lobito Corridor Development
Speaking at the 38th Meeting of the Council of Ministers at the African Union City, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka emphasized the urgent need to accelerate development projects along the Lobito Corridor. In her address, the Prime Minister highlighted the Italian government’s launch of a new partnership model with Africa, rooted in the Mattei Plan—an initiative focused on fostering equitable and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Mattei Plan prioritizes joint identification
Lobito Corridor and EU-Africa Cooperation Take Center Stage at Rome Conference
Luanda – The strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor and enhanced cooperation between Africa and the European Union (EU) were key topics at the EU high-level conference held this week in Rome, Italy. The event aimed to strengthen ties between African nations and the EU. Under the theme “The Mattei Plan for Africa and the EU’s Global Gateway: A Common Effort with the African Continent,” the conference brought together political