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 work, no details were provided regarding the contract terms or selection process. Notably, in July 2022, Summa had signed two infrastructure project agreements with the state that did not materialize.
According to Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba, the modernization project will involve the construction of a new passenger terminal, runway expansion, development of the tarmac, and installation of upgraded navigational systems.
Additional plans include a terminal capable of handling up to one million passengers annually, a tarmac large enough for four wide-body aircraft, and a cargo terminal with a 5,000-tonne capacity.
The project also encompasses a maintenance center, storage hangar, wastewater treatment plant, upgraded fire safety systems, and improved road access to the airport.
Local media reports indicate a construction period of 20 months, employing approximately 1,200 workers during the build phase and creating an estimated 600 permanent jobs upon completion.
This initiative is part of a broader national strategy to modernize the DRC’s main airports, including the capital’s N’Djili International Airport.
As the country’s second-largest city and a strategic center for mining and commerce, Lubumbashi is poised to benefit significantly from this infrastructure upgrade.
Provincial leaders hope the revitalized Loano Airport will transform Haut-Katanga into a regional hub for business, tourism, and transit.
