By Ayomide Otitoju
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a $159.50 million loan to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to enhance connectivity to the Ngandajika Agro-Industrial Park, opening up the country’s central region to trade and economic development. The total project cost is $177.16 million, with the Congolese government providing co-financing.
The Project to Strengthen Connectivity at the Ngandajika Agro-Industrial Park will upgrade key transport infrastructure, including the Nkuadi–Ngandajika–PAIN and Lukalaba–Ngandajika roads, as well as connecting sections of National Roads 1 and 2 (RN1 and RN2). The project also includes the extension of the Mbuji-Mayi airport runway to facilitate agro-industrial air freight, supporting growth in the region.
“This project is a major milestone for Central Africa’s economic integration and for advancing agricultural industrialization in the DRC,” said Léandre Bassolé, AfDB Director General for Central Africa. “By improving access to the Ngandajika Agro-Industrial Park, we are strengthening value chains, opening new trade corridors, and creating opportunities for competitiveness, jobs, and economic inclusion—especially for women and youth.”
The project is expected to benefit farmers, transporters, and agro-industrial operators in Lomami province, the surrounding park area, and Kasaï Oriental by reducing logistics costs and improving market access. Women and young people, who play key roles in local agricultural and commercial activities, will gain new economic opportunities from the enhanced infrastructure.
The initiative is part of AfDB’s Agricultural Transformation Programme (PTA) and complements the Support Programme for the Development of the Ngandajika Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (PRODAN). It also advances the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by improving trade and regional connectivity.
“This project addresses a major bottleneck limiting the Ngandajika park’s competitiveness: the lack of reliable transport infrastructure for inputs and production movement,” said Johnny Makwela, project task manager. “The new road links and improved air access will reduce logistics costs and accelerate integration into agro-industrial value chains.”
The project supports the development of agricultural value chains, food security, and local production competitiveness, directly contributing to the Bank Group’s 2023–2028 Country Strategy Paper for the DRC.
