The third edition of the RIF RDC 2026 forum, held in Kinshasa from October 26-28, focused on strategic corridors, logistical sovereignty, and regional integration. Bodom Matungulu, president of the Think Tank RDC Stratégie, emphasized the need to go beyond infrastructure construction and connect territories, facilitate exchanges, and transform resources into wealth. He presented a vision of corridors as motors of development, requiring coherent infrastructure, rules, services, skills, and productive activities.
Matungulu identified four pillars for the forum: decide, construct, finance, and connect. The goal is to link agricultural basins, mining areas, industrial poles, and markets, turning traversed territories into production, transformation, and job creation spaces. He proposed a follow-up matrix to track actions, responsible interlocutors, deadlines, and expected results. The aim is to consolidate recommendations and ensure a sustainable impact.
Vice-Premier Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba outlined eight strategic priorities for competitive corridors, including regional corridor governance, logistical competitiveness, and infrastructure development. He emphasized the need for a 2027-2030 logistical competitiveness roadmap with measurable objectives and clear responsibilities. Bemba also called for economically viable projects, integrated maintenance, and greater involvement of Congolese companies in infrastructure-related markets.
Panelists proposed concrete solutions to reduce logistical costs and facilitate exchanges. Laurent Puerta, director general of AGL RDC, advocated for better articulation between road, rail, and waterway transport, including rehabilitation of the railway, modernization of ports, and creation of intermediate transshipment platforms. Daddy Magema, director general of Maersk RDC, emphasized the need for efficient navigation, digitalization of documentary exchanges, and better pilot availability.
Other panelists, including Jean-Marie Numbi Yamba and Yolene Kayakez-A-Mutomb, recommended improved data utilization, warehouse and parking space development, and dematerialization of foreign trade formalities. Maïdadi Sahabana, vice-president associated Africa of CPCS, called for a coherent vision of the transport network by 2060, clarified governance, and increased investment in human capital.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for coordination between transport, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, industry, finance, and commerce sectors. She highlighted the importance of prioritizing investments, ensuring financial viability, and simplifying commercial procedures. The goal is to connect provinces and link the national territory to regional and international markets.
The RIF RDC 2026 forum concluded with a call to transform recommendations into funded projects, functional networks, and sustainable competitiveness and employment levers. The success of the forum will be measured by its ability to follow up and execute the proposed actions.
Key points
- The RIF RDC 2026 forum emphasized the need for a coherent vision of the transport network and coordination between sectors to boost production, industrialization, and employment.
