$105M Aviation Upgrade Set to Turn DR Congo into Regional Hub
The Democratic Republic of Congo is recording significant improvements in aviation safety and infrastructure, following the implementation of a major project supported by the African Development Bank Group.
The Priority Aviation Safety Project (PPSA II), financed with approximately 105 million US dollars, has modernised key airports and strengthened air traffic management systems across the country, marking a major shift from previously challenging operating conditions.
At N’djili International Airport in Kinshasa, the transformation is particularly evident. The airport is now equipped with advanced technologies, including TopSky aerial surveillance systems and Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications, alongside a new fire station and an independent power plant.
Airline pilot Arnaud Cassellé said operational conditions have improved considerably over the years.
“Things are clearly improving. The runways, the instruments, everything is getting better,” he noted, adding that flights now proceed more smoothly and safely.
The project has also upgraded infrastructure at other airports, including Kisangani, Kindu and Mbuji-Mayi, where a 2.3-kilometre runway has been rehabilitated to enhance both passenger and cargo transport.
According to officials, the installation of new radio communication channels and modern control tower equipment has strengthened air traffic coordination and improved safety standards nationwide.
At the Régie des Voies Aériennes, air traffic controller Nadia Bamuongo said the improvements have placed the country on par with other African aviation systems.
“With the equipment we have today, we are on an equal footing with many countries in Africa,” she said, adding that perceptions of the country’s airspace as unsafe are rapidly changing.
Project coordinator Alexis Sangi Matanda highlighted that the upgrades have addressed longstanding navigation and communication challenges, improving both safety and efficiency.
Beyond infrastructure, the project is also contributing to economic growth by facilitating smoother logistics, increasing air traffic and improving access to essential services such as medical evacuations.
Further phases of the initiative are expected to expand radar coverage and provide additional training for aviation professionals, with new systems set to enhance precision in air traffic control.
Officials say the improvements are already boosting confidence among airlines and passengers, while positioning the Democratic Republic of Congo as a safer and more competitive player in regional aviation.
The government, in partnership with the African Development Bank Group, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the progress and leveraging aviation as a driver of economic development and regional connectivity.
