Congo - Bridging Borders: Congo's $700M Road-Rail Link to Boost Trade and Growth Moves Forward

The Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo are advancing plans to construct a road-rail bridge connecting their capitals, Brazzaville and Kinshasa, respectively. This strategic infrastructure project aims to enhance regional integration and bolster economic growth by facilitating seamless transportation between the two cities.

According to the latest information, the bridge will be located in Maluku, some 60 km upstream from Brazzaville and Kinshasa, with the prospect of special economic zones on both sides. This configuration is expected to significantly improve the movement of goods and people across the Congo River, strengthening trade and cooperation between the neighboring nations. According to Jean-Jacques Bouya, the countries concerned have already consulted on the standardization of the establishment of the concession and the harmonization of tax, customs and financial regimes.

The project's initial phase is estimated to cost $700 million. The bidding process to select the concessionaire is scheduled to commence in June 2025, with the announcement of the selected operator anticipated by September 2025. Following the financial closure, construction is slated to begin as early as November 2025. By providing a direct link between Brazzaville and Kinshasa, the bridge is expected to facilitate cross-border trade and movement, fostering economic growth in the region.

As the project progresses, both countries are working diligently to finalize the concession agreement and secure the necessary financing. Initiated several decades

ago, the construction of a bridge over the Congo River to link the two capitals is has been in progress for quite a while. Last December, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the head of state of the Democratic Republic of Congo, announced that the first stone would be laid in September this year. However, both governments have been struggling to mobilize reluctant investors on the economic impact of such a project.

If it succeeds, the bridge is set to transform the transformation landscape in Central africa offering new opportunities for commerce and collaboration between the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The forthcoming milestones, including the selection of a concessionaire and the commencement of construction, are eagerly anticipated as pivotal steps toward realizing this transformative project.

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