** Transport: Lighthouse of Economy and Social Development in the Democratic Republic of Congo **
In a country as vast and rich in resources as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), transport appears as an essential key to stimulating economic growth and social well-being. In this regard, the words of Triple Ngampulu, consultant and researcher in economics, resonate as an exhortation to become aware of the challenges that undermine this crucial sector.
Ngampulu stresses that the ineffectiveness of transport in the DRC is not only a logistical obstacle, but a major source of economic instability and food insecurity. According to a recent report by the World Bank, around 37% of foodstuffs produced locally are lost in transit, illustrating the urgency of investing in adequate infrastructure. This raises the following question: how can decision-makers transform this reality?
### Infrastructure issues
The DRC, with its vast rural and urban regions, offers a fertile land for development, but this remains conditioned by the quality of transport infrastructure. The often degraded roads, the under-equipped ports and the obsolete means of transport hinder not only the circulation of goods, but also that of the people. This raises questions about the impact of transport over the transition period that the country experiences: how to ensure that the regional growth centers are effectively interconnected to promote an inclusive economic dynamic?
Ngampulu’s words suggest that transport should not be thought of simply on an individual scale, but as a macroscopic system where the efficiency of the circulation of goods echoes the economic vitality of the country. New connections can also provide answers to larger issues such as the cost of living or the fight against poverty.
### Improvement prospects
To remedy the observed dysfunctions, Ngampulu pleads for strategic investments in the transport sector, in particular the modernization of ports and the extension of road networks. Such initiatives would not only be beneficial from an economic point of view; They would also have the potential to create new jobs, thus contributing to social development.
It would be relevant to explore the models of public-private collaboration that have succeeded in other African contexts. What lessons could the DRC draw from these examples? We can envisage a mobilization of national and international resources to carry out long -term infrastructure work, thus guaranteeing not only the creation of jobs, but also sustainable development.
### Inclusive and sustainable transport
However, it is essential to address the way in which the development of transport can above all be integrated into the framework of a sustainable and inclusive economy. How to guarantee that the benefits of new infrastructure is accessible to everyone, including the most vulnerable populations? Inaccessibility to certain roads can exacerbate socio-economic inequalities by limiting access to markets and essential services.
In the analysis category, it would be useful to wonder if the investments envisaged take into account the environment. In a context where the fight against climate change is essential, it would be wise to integrate sustainable transport solutions such as effective public transport and waterways.
### Conclusion: a route to trace
The call to remedy the ineffectiveness of transport in the DRC, expressed by Ngampulu, should resonate in political, economic and social circles. This raises a multitude of questions around the management of infrastructure and associated services, as well as the strategies to be favored to maximize the impact of these investments.
In a changing economy, where the challenges are multiple and complex, transport can constitute the common thread connecting the different components of development. By initiating a plural collective reflection open to these issues, it is possible to sketch lasting solutions that will strengthen social cohesion while stimulating economic dynamics. This path, although sown with pitfalls, could well trace a promising future for the DRC.