According to the AfDB, the project's development objective is to contribute to improving the DRC's transport system and the living conditions of the local population. Specifically, the project seeks to:

(i) improve the level of service of the road transport logistics chain on the Mbuji-Mayi–Lukalaba–Ngandajika and Lukalaba–Ngandajika sections and increase the traffic reception and processing capacity in the Mbujimayi and Kananga airports;
(ii) strengthen the capacities of multimodal (road and air) transport stakeholders; and
(iii) boost the economic empowerment of the local population and their resilience to the effects of climate change.

The Project to Strengthen Connectivity at the Ngandajika Agro-industrial Park in Lomami province aims to address the challenges of transporting input supplies and produce from the park to trade centres. The main objective is to ensure access to these agricultural development zones, and to connect National Route 1 (RN1) between Mbuji-Mayi and Mwene-Ditu to National Route 2 (RN2) between Mbuji-Mayi and Kabinda.

Furthermore, the road and airport infrastructure improvements planned for Kananga and Mbuji-Mayi, as part of this project, will contribute to the objectives of the Agricultural Transformation Plan (PTA) by facilitating the transportation of agricultural produce from the Ngandajika Agro-Industrial Park (PAIN) to major centres of consumption.

It is worth recalling that the Ngandajika Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone Support Project (PRODAN) – launched in November 2023 in Lomami Province – is one of the pilot projects implemented under the PTA (Agricultural Transformation Program). This program focuses on three main crops: maize, cassava, and soybeans, as well as the development of targeted livestock sectors to complement the park's agro-industrial offerings.

The proposed operation aims to ensure access to this agricultural development zone by connecting National Route 1 (RN1) – between Mbuji-Mayi and Mwene-Ditu – to National Route 2 (RN2) – between Mbuji-Mayi and Kabinda. Thus, the road development combined with the extension of the Mbujimayi airport runway planned within the framework of this project will contribute to the objectives of the PTA by facilitating the evacuation of agricultural production from the Ngandajika Agro-industrial Park (PAIN) to major consumption centres.

The project is structured around three (3) components, namely: (i) infrastructure ; (ii) institutional support, capacity-building, and various studies; (iii) project management and implementation of the RAP. The total cost of the project, excluding all taxes and customs duties, including physical and financial contingencies, is estimated at UA 130.42 million (or USD 176.121 million). The Bank’s contribution as the main financial partner is estimated at UA 117.42 million.

AfDB Team Leader:

Johnny Gingama Makwela
Email: j.makwelagingama@afdb.org 

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/request-for-documents. Under the AfDBÕs Disclosure and Access to Information policy, if you feel the Bank has omitted to publish information or your request for information is unreasonably denied, you can file an appeal at https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/appeals-process.

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF AfDB

The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM), which is administered by the Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (CRMU), is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who have been or are likely to be adversely affected by an African Development Bank (AfDB)-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the IRM, it may assist you by either seeking to address your problems by facilitating a dispute resolution dialogue between you and those implementing the project and/or investigating whether the AfDB complied with its policies to prevent environmental and social harms. You can submit a complaint electronically by emailing crmuinfo@afdb.org, b.kargougou@afdb.org, b.fall@afdb.org, and/or s.toure@afdb.org. You can learn more about the IRM and how to file a complaint at: https://www.afdb.org/en/independent-review-mechanism/