• DRC begins major upgrade of flood-prone Moba port
• Project includes quays, breakwater, logistics platform, road links
• Aims to revive regional trade, cut transport costs, boost economy
  

The modernization of Moba's port in the Democratic Republic of Congo began on Thursday, with Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka and Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works John Banza Lunda in attendance. The project is part of a series of government initiatives in the Tanganyika province, which also includes the rehabilitation of Lumumba Boulevard and neighboring ports like Kalemie.

The Moba port has long been plagued by issues, according to officials. Its docks are frequently submerged during floods, forcing ships to anchor offshore and rely on small boats for precarious transshipment. Recent floods have worsened the situation, disrupting traffic on the lake.

The modernization plan, presented by the Agency for Major Works (ACGT), will be carried out in three phases. The first phase includes a 156-meter quay, four berths, warehouses, and a 19,000-square-meter logistics platform. The second phase will add another quay and backfill areas, while the third phase will see the construction of a 476-meter breakwater, an additional quay, and the supply of heavy equipment.

The project also includes complementary roadworks. The plan is to repair and open new routes to connect the port to production hubs and domestic markets, including planned links to Kirungu and Ntoto. This will improve the interface between Tanganyika and the hinterland and reduce logistical costs for commercial and agricultural activities.

Located on the western shore of Lake Tanganyika, the Moba port was once a key hub for regional trade, facilitating the export of local agricultural products and the import of goods from Tanzania and Zambia. In the 1980s and 1990s, it regularly hosted commercial vessels, playing a crucial role in the local economy.

Over time, the port has severely deteriorated. Submerged quays, silting, and a lack of maintenance have reduced traffic to just a few boats per week. Rehabilitation attempts launched in 2022 were halted, allowing the critical situation to persist.