River transport, often neglected, plays a crucial role in opening up regions and promoting economic development, particularly in Central Africa. A major initiative, the Regional Project for the Improvement of Road and River Transport Corridors in Central Africa (Pracac), has just taken an important step by adopting a substantial budget for 2025. This announcement, made at the inaugural session of the steering committee held in Brazzaville on December 24 under the chairmanship of Ferdinand Likouka, promises significant progress for inland navigation in the region.
A Substantial Budget for Modernized River Infrastructure
Pracac has allocated a budget of 10 billion 615 million CFA francs for the 2025 fiscal year. This significant funding demonstrates the commitment to boosting river transport and improving existing infrastructure. More than 82% of this budget will be dedicated to essential activities such as dredging, drainage, and conducting studies for the construction and rehabilitation of ports and quays. The localities of Impfondo, Bétou, Mossaka, Liranga, and Makotimpoko, located in northern Congo, are at the heart of this modernization program.
Ambitious Objectives for Sustainable Development
Benoît Ngayou, coordinator of Pracac, emphasized the project’s ambition to launch the construction of these port infrastructures as quickly as possible. The objective is clear: after the feasibility studies, the actual work will begin. Rapid recruitment of a specialized firm to conduct these studies is planned within the next four months, a sign of a commitment to making concrete progress.
A Regional Project for Increased Economic Integration
Funded by the World Bank to the tune of 53 billion CFA francs, Pracac, launched in March 2024, is part of a regional perspective. It aims to improve transport corridors between the Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic, focusing on the Bossembélé-Bossangoa river and road corridor. This ambitious project is not limited to the modernization of infrastructure. It also aims to:
- Stimulate intra-regional trade: by facilitating trade between the two countries and optimizing the use of the autonomous port of Brazzaville and secondary ports.
- Promote socio-economic inclusion: by creating economic opportunities for local populations through the development of river transport.
- Strengthen climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience: by building sustainable infrastructure adapted to climate challenges.
The project also intends to make the ports and mooring points located along the Congo River and its tributary the Oubangui profitable, particularly in the localities of Mossaka, Liranga, Makotimpoko, Dongou, and Bétou.
A New Era for River Transport in Central Africa?
The announcement of Pracac’s 2025 budget marks an important step for the development of river transport in Central Africa. Thanks to targeted investments and a regional vision, this project has the potential to transform trade, stimulate economic growth, and improve the living conditions of local populations. It remains to follow the next steps of this ambitious project and observe its impact on the ground.
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