Bridge-road-rail project between Brazzaville and Kinshasa: hope reborn

Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, 25 May 2026– The Commissioner for Territorial Planning and Infrastructure of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Dr. Maurice NIATY-MOUUMBA, took part in the launch session of the call for proposals for the realization of the Road-Rail Bridge on the Congo River between the cities of Brazzaville and Kinshasa.

This session was organized on the margins of the annual meetings of the African Development Bank (ADB) which have been held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo since 25 May 2026 and will end on 29 May 2026.

The Commissioner was accompanied by Mr. Bakary MAHAMAT NOURHead of the Road, Rail and River Transport Service, Department of Territorial Planning and Infrastructure of the ECCAS Commission.

During this mission, the ECCAS delegation finalized the opinion to the call for proposals, coordinating the work of the Joint Technical Committee comprising the experts from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo, with the assistance of Africa 50 the African Development Bank.

The signing ceremony of the notice to the call for proposals was attended by Their Excellencies Gentlemen Jean-Jacques BUYA and Jean-Pierre BEMBA GOMBODeputy Prime Minister in charge of the Coordination of Development Infrastructure and Planning of the Territory of the Republic of the Congo and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Transport and Communications of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

During this ceremony and at the outset, the ECCAS Delegation made a presentation on the project's economy by reviewing its history and technical characteristics. The ECCAS Commission was also given the honour to formally launch this opinion.

At the end of the ceremony, the Commissioner was received by the President of the Republic of the Congo, Head of State, H.E. Mr. Denis SASSOU NGUESSO which reminded ECCAS to ensure the implementation of the Bridge Road-Rail project between Brazzaville and Kinshasa.

The construction of the road-rail bridge between Brazzaville and Kinshasa has several major advantages for both countries and for all Central Africa. In particular, trade facilitation, strengthening regional integration, railway infrastructure development

The bridge is a strategic project for the integration of Central Africa. It is part of the ambitions of ECCAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFTAAf). It will help connect several African road and rail corridors, facilitating the movement of people, goods, investment and services between neighbouring countries.

The rail component is particularly important: it will link the interior of the Democratic Republic of the Congo more closely to regional ports and markets, promote mass freight transport and reduce dependence on road transport.