A new era is dawning for transportation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After a hiatus of more than a year and a half, rail connections between Kinshasa and Matadi and river routes between Kinshasa and Kisangani have resumed. This initiative has been hailed by the government as a crucial lever to revitalize the national economy.
During an official ceremony at Kinshasa’s central station, the Minister of the Portfolio, Jean Lucien Bussa, emphasized the importance of this resumption for the fluidity of domestic trade. “This resumption marks a significant improvement in the fluidity of trade within the DRC,” he stated.
Indeed, multimodal transport, combining rail and river, will significantly reduce transportation costs for goods, especially essential commodities. According to the minister, this initiative is part of the government’s desire to lower consumer prices and support the country’s economic development.
Martin Lukusa, Director General of ONATRA, welcomed this relaunch and promised to do everything possible to ensure the regularity of the connections. “We will make an effort to ensure that there is regularity so that the impact is visible on the household’s basket,” he said.
To ensure the sustainability of these new connections, ONATRA plans to make significant investments to modernize its infrastructure and rolling stock. “With the will that drives the new government today, we are on the path to progress to improve operating conditions, that is to say, to rebuild new quays, buy boats, and rebuild tracks,” said Mr. Lukusa.
