• The World Bankstudies an expansion of the $300 million Transforme projectto the Lobito Corridorin southeastern DR Congo.

• The plan seeks to link infrastructure investments with local private-sector development, particularly for women-owned businesses.

• The bank could extend the project by two years and add financingif the expansion proceeds.

The World Bankstudies the possibility of expanding the Transforme projectalong the Lobito Corridorin southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Zouhour Karray, senior private sector specialist at the World Bank, raised this option after completing a two-week mission in the country. She discussed the initiative in an interview published on March 6, 2026 on the project’s YouTube channel.

She said the proposal fits into a broader strategy that organizes economic development around transport corridors. The approach aims to create synergies between infrastructure investments and the growth of a local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

In this framework, Karray also cited other development axes, including the Kongo Central Corridorand a route linking Mbuji-Mayito Bukavu, which she described as a “corridor of peace.”

The World Bank’s preliminary assessments identified five cities located in the mining provinces of Haut-Katangaand Lualaba. These cities include Lubumbashi, Likasi, Kolwezi, Fungurumeand Mutshatsha. However, Karray said the selection remains preliminary and that evaluations continue.

The two-week mission reviewed the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and assessed the economic potential of the region. The team also evaluated the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, women entrepreneurs and micro-entrepreneurs.

“In the next stages, we will have greater visibility on the instruments that will actually be deployed at the provincial level, as well as on opportunities to support business climate reforms at the provincial level.” Karray said.

Karray said the preparation phase for the potential expansion should continue until June 2026. The World Bank expects implementation to begin afterward.

The institution also considers extending the project’s timeline by two additional years and allocating additional financing to support the scale-up.

The World Bank approved the Transforme projectin May 2022 with financing of $300 million. The initiative supports the growth of small, medium and micro-enterprises, particularly those owned or led by women.

The program provides grants, mechanisms that facilitate access to finance and support for reforms that improve the business climate. The project currently runs until September 30, 2027.

In February 2025, national project coordinator Alexis Mangalasaid the program covered the cities of Bukavu, Bunia, Goma, Kananga, Kinshasaand Mbuji-Mayi.

The project also covers the Kasangulu–Muanda corridor, including Kasangulu, Kisantu, Mbanza-Ngungu, Kimpese, Matadi, Bomaand Muanda.

In this context, the planned expansion toward the Lobito corridor would mark a new phase of deploymentrather than a marginal adjustment of the current scope.

Ronsard Luabeya (Bankable)