DR Congo and Congo concluded a $550 million agreement for the construction of a bridge that will link them, Jean-Jacques Bouya, the minister of planning of the Republic of Congo, indicated earlier today November 7, 2018 during the Africa Investment Forum 2018, being held in Johannesburg.  

This new project should help link the two most close capitals in the world (Kinshasa and Brazzaville). According to the official’s statements reported by Bloomberg, the new bridge should cross the Congo river (separating the two towns) over about 1,575 meters.

The project should include the construction of a toll gate, a railway, a road, and a walkway. Once completed, it will encourage the development of special economic zones on both sides of the new construction and boost economic and human exchanges between the two towns and the two countries by extension. It should also help reduce the risks and costs related to the only transport means available right now to go from one capital to the other (boats, planes).

Let’s note that the idea to build a bridge to link the two countries was revealed in 2004 after member countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) adopted a consensual master plan on transports in this sub-region.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou