Congo and Zambia Presidents have officially inaugurated the commencement of the Luapula bridge construction, a substantial infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity and promoting economic cooperation between their countries.
This monumental undertaking represents the commencement of a new phase in the ongoing infrastructure development journey shared by Congo and Zambia. The project is part of a broader project known as the Kasomeno Mwenda Toll Road Project (KMTR), which encompasses the establishment of one-stop border posts (OSBP) and is overseen by GED Africa Ltd.
The initial discussions regarding the Kasomeno Mwenda Border took place in Livingstone, Zambia, led by Zambia’s Minister of Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development, Hon. Charles Milupi, and Nico Nzau Nzau, the Director-General of the ACGT in the DRC. This workshop was widely regarded as a significant milestone in the endeavors to bring the project to fruition.
The newly established route will reduce approximately 500 kilometers from the roundtrip for commercial transporters traveling from the thriving mining sector of Haut-Katanga to the Port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The project encompasses the development and enlargement of a 184-kilometer road highway, the construction of a 345-meter-long cable-stayed bridge at the Luapala river border, the establishment of a one-stop border post featuring warehousing and parking facilities, the implementation of a tolling system and its associated infrastructure, and the creation of social infrastructure to support community development.
Impact of Luapula Bridge Construction on Society
By merging reduced travel distances with the introduction of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first one-stop border post, this new eastern route is set to unlock regional opportunities and stimulate economic prosperity for all involved parties.
The Kasomeno Mwenda road and bridge project is anticipated to provide job growth and promote infrastructure development in Mwense. With expectations of over 400 trucks using the bridge daily to connect Luapula province and Lubumbashi, this initiative forms a Public-Private Partnership involving Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Hungary’s GED Africa.
According to Benson Matipa, the Acting Mwense District Commissioner, the construction of the road and Luapula Bridge will result in job opportunities and the expansion of infrastructure in the region. Furthermore, GED Africa has plans to construct modern housing units in the Mwenda area of Mwense district.
This project represents the most substantial infrastructure investment from Europe into Africa, courtesy of the Hungarian construction firm Duna Aszfalt, which is part of the Duna group encompassing various infrastructure development and construction companies.
Both governments have pledged their commitment to collaborate and jointly ensure the timely delivery of this pivotal infrastructure project at the highest international standards of quality.
The KMTR project serves as an exemplary multinational public-private partnership (PPP) model, positioning the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia for sustained economic expansion through top-tier engineering knowledge, advanced tolling technology, and contemporary infrastructure.
Also read Zambia and DRC sign MOU to build Kasomeno ? Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge project
