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
Category: Central Africa
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
DP World and Mota-Engil to Develop DRC’s First Deep-Sea Port
DP World has appointed multinational construction firm Mota-Engil to lead the development of the Port of Banana in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), positioning the country as a key trade hub in the region. Located in Kongo Central province on the Atlantic coast, the port represents a major infrastructure investment aimed at reducing business costs and strengthening the DRC’s economic independence. As the country’s first fully equipped maritime
DRC Prioritizes Local Transporters in Cross-Border Freight Regulations
The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport, Communication Channels, and Accessibility, Abolia Taba Mopolo, convened a meeting in Kolwezi on Thursday, March 13, 2025, bringing together representatives from mining companies, the General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA), the National Road Safety Commission (CNPR), and the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC Lualaba). The meeting focused on implementing Ministerial Decree No. VPM/MTVCD/CAB/011/2025, issued on February 25, 2025, which regulates cross-border transport
AGL Secures $250 Million Financing for Expansion of Pointe Noire Port in Congo-Brazzaville
Africa Global Logistics (AGL), through its subsidiary Congo Terminal, has secured approximately US$250 million in financing to develop the container terminal at the Autonomous Port of Pointe Noire (PAPN) in Congo-Brazzaville. The funds will be used to construct a 750-meter quay, covering 28 hectares with a depth of 17 meters. The overall project, estimated to cost US$393 million, is set to take three years to complete. The financing package follows
Air Cargo Traffic Declines in Africa and DRC as Global Growth Continues IATA Report Shows
African airlines experienced a 3.4% decline in air cargo traffic in January 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This decline occurred despite a 5.4% increase in capacity, revealing a significant underutilization of available infrastructure. Africa, along with the Middle East (-8.4%), is one of the few regions globally to report a decrease in air freight volumes.
Canyon Resources Expands Stake in Camrail to Strengthen Bauxite Logistics
ASX-listed Canyon Resources, through its wholly owned subsidiary Camalco Cameroon, has acquired a 5.3% equity stake in Cameroon’s rail network operator, Camrail, from TotalEnergies Marketing Cameroun (Total Cameroon). The transaction was finalized on March 14, following internal approval from Total Cameroon’s Apex Committee. With this latest acquisition, Camalco now holds a strategic 9.1% stake in Camrail, having previously secured a 3.8% interest from Société d’Exploitation des Bois du Cameroun (SEBC)
Mbuji-Mayi Airport Modernization to Enable Accommodation of Large Aircraft by September 2025
Mbuji-Mayi Airport is set to accommodate large aircraft following the completion of ongoing modernization work. This announcement was made on Monday, February 25, 2025, after a working session between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Communication Channels, and Disenclavement, Jean-Pierre Bemba, and a delegation from the Chinese firm CHINA JIANGXI Corporation, responsible for the airport’s renovation and modernization. Michael Cheng, the representative of CHINA JIANGXI Corporation in the Democratic
U.S. Aid Freeze Puts Africa’s Critical Minerals Corridor at Risk
A billion-dollar expansion of Africa’s most strategic U.S.-backed critical minerals project is now in limbo due to a foreign aid freeze under the Trump administration—creating an opening for China to expand its influence. At the center of the crisis is the Lobito Corridor railway project, a key infrastructure initiative designed to transport copper and cobalt from the Central African Copperbelt—home to some of the world’s richest deposits—to the Angolan coast