AfDB Backs $160 Million Ngandajika Upgrade in DRC
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a $159.5 million loan to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to enhance connectivity to the Ngandajika Agro-Industrial Park, a key initiative aimed at opening up the country’s central region. The total project cost is $177.16 million, with co-financing from the Congolese government.
The Connectivity Strengthening Project will upgrade the Nkuadi–Ngandajika–PAIN and Lukalaba–Ngandajika roads, improve links between National Roads 1 and 2, and extend the runway at Mbuji-Mayi airport to support agro-industrial air freight.
“This project is a major milestone for Central Africa’s economic integration and agricultural industrialisation in the DRC,” said Léandre Bassolé, AfDB Director General for Central Africa. “By improving access to the Ngandajika park, we are strengthening critical value chains, opening trade corridors, and creating opportunities for jobs, competitiveness and economic inclusion—especially for women and young people.”
The initiative will directly benefit farmers, transporters, and agro-industrial operators in Lomami province, Ngandajika and Kasaï Oriental. Improved roads and air access are expected to reduce logistics costs, increase access to markets, and support the integration of producers into agro-industrial value chains.
Johnny Makwela, the project task manager, noted: “The new road links and airport improvements will address one of the main constraints limiting the competitiveness of the Ngandajika agro-industrial park, making supply chains more reliable and efficient.”
The project 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 objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by improving trade and regional connectivity.
