The proposed Lake Tanganyika Transport Corridor Development Project will boost regional integration and significantly reduce trade costs between riparian countries (Burundi, DRC, Tanzania and Zambia). Multimodal links with Central Corridor roads and railways will provide greater transport connectivity with other countries in the sub-region, such as Uganda and Rwanda. The project will therefore unlock Lake Tanganyika's potential as an inland waterway and provide a platform that would link the Northern (Mombasa in Kenya), Central (Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania) and Southern (Mpulungu in Zambia/ Durban in South Africa) Road Corridors. The rehabilitation of Bujumbura Port will achieve the following key outcomes: (i) reduction of import/export costs by about 30%; (ii) improvement of service level and productivity by reducing port of call times for vessels and increasing the capacity ofterminals; (iv) development of economic opportunities and an entrepreneurial network along Bujumbura Port; and (v) about 20% increase in cross-border trade with countries bordering the Lake. The project has five (5) components: (A) Rehabilitation of Bujumbura Port and Access Roads; (B) Port Facilities; (C) Institutional Support and Capacity Building; (D) Trade and Transport Facilitation; and (E) Project Management.

The main project objective is to improve the regional transport network so as to foster trade and contribute to the region's economic growth. Development of regional infrastructure is required to improve competitiveness and strengthen regional integration. The main objective has specific objectives as follows: (i) increase the capacity and efficiency of Bujumbura (Burundi) and Mpulungu (Zambia) ports so as to improve regional connectivity; (ii) boost regional trade along the integrated Lake Tanganyika corridor and interconnect with existing regional trade corridors; and (iii) improve living conditions for the population in the project area.

The project beneficiaries will mainly comprise: (i) stakeholders of Bujumbura Port, including AMPF, the concession holder of Bujumbura Port, carriers and ship-owners, following the rehabilitation of infrastructure and acquisition of new port equipment; (ii) customs, immigration and maritime police services following the establishment of a single window to streamline procedures; (iii) manufacturers following the reduction in transport costs and time; (iv) the population of the project area for the employment opportunities that will be created; (v) women involved in post-harvest fishing activities, fishermen and the fishermen's association for the support they will receive and the protection of 21 fish spawning grounds under the project; and (vi) small businesses operating around the port as a result of support for the development of entrepreneurship in the area.

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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/.