• The Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Congo (SNCC) resumed rail operations between Kananga and Lubumbashi on November 11, four days ahead of schedule.

• The suspension in early October was caused by anti-erosion works in Kamupongo, which disrupted cargo and passenger transport.

• The SNCC emphasized the need to secure and maintain the railway to support trade and logistics continuity.

The Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Congo (SNCC) resumed rail traffic between Kananga, in Kasaï Central, and Lubumbashi, in Haut-Katanga, on November 11, after a month-long suspension due to infrastructure works.

SNCC’s regional director for the northern zone, Emmanuel Kalonji, said the reopening came earlier than expected following consultations with business operators. “Customers could no longer wait. After discussions, we decided to restart traffic on November 11 to clear blocked goods and resume passenger and cargo transport,” he stated.

The resumption occurred four days ahead of the initial November 15 deadline set when the line was closed for maintenance.

Authorities suspended train operations in early October to allow Safrimex, a Congolese construction firm, to conduct anti-erosion works in Kamupongo, near Kananga.

The interruption blocked large volumes of goods in SNCC warehouses, disrupted market supplies across several provinces, and caused delays in regional logistics. Throughout October, no courier or freight trains operated on the Ilebo–Kananga and Kananga–Lubumbashi routes, both critical to central and southern Congo’s trade.

Despite the reopening, the SNCC warned that rail infrastructure remains fragile and requires continuous maintenance. Kalonji said securing the rail corridor is essential to ensure the timely transport of construction materials and to prevent future interruptions.

In September 2025, the company launched additional infrastructure works in Tshimbulu, the second-largest city in Kasaï Central. The project involves building culverts and drainage systems to combat erosion threatening both the railway and a section of National Road No. 1. These works are expected to last three months.

This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum