Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and his Zambian counterpart Hakainde Hichilema announced the start of construction work on a bridge project over the Luapula River, in Haut-Katanga province. This bridge, with a length of 350 meters, will facilitate traffic between Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo, thus reducing the journey by 300 kilometers through Zambia.
This project, known as the Kasomeno-Kasenga Mwenda road-bridge, will be implemented through a public-private partnership with the European Development Group. The main objective of this infrastructure is to resolve the problem of congestion at the Kasumabalesa border post, frequently reported by truckers from southern Africa.
The governor of Haut-Katanga, Jacque Kyabula, underlined the importance of this project for his province, which has four border posts with Zambia. He also called for the formalization of other border crossings, in order to facilitate trade and strengthen relations between the two countries.
The construction of the bridge over the Luapula River will be associated with the construction of 93 kilometers of road, which will further facilitate transit between the two countries. The work, lasting 36 months, is estimated at $252 million and will be carried out as part of a public-private partnership lasting 25 years.
The Congolese Prime Minister, Sama Lukonde, stressed that this project will have an impact not only on the economy, but also on the territorial configuration of the Kasenga region, as well as on other entities in Zambia. He also highlighted the job creation aspect of this project, which will help stimulate the local economy.
In conclusion, the construction of the bridge over the Luapula River represents an important step in strengthening transport infrastructure between Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This project will reduce travel distances and facilitate trade, while contributing to the economic development of the region.